A SERIAL killer will not be considered for parole until he has served 35 years in prison, it emerged yesterday.

Steven Grieveson, of Roker Avenue, Sunderland, was given three life sentences at Leeds Crown Court, in 1996, for murdering 15-year-olds David Hanson and David Grieff, and Thomas Kelly, 18.

In a four-month killing spree in the city, from November 1993 to February 1994, he strangled the teenagers, then burned their bodies.

Parents of the victims have carried out a prolonged campaign to prevent Grieveson from ever being released, lobbying successive Home Secretaries.

Now it has emerged that in a letter to David Hanson's mother, Sheila, the Home Office reveald that a 35-year tariff has been placed on Grieveson's sentence, preventing him from seeking parole until 2029.

He will only be considered for parole then if he is no longer considered a danger.

Mrs Hanson, of Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, said: "We like to think all the campaigning has helped.

"Life would have been better, but this will be for most of his life. If he does go to the parole board, he will be an old man."