THE mother of a Hampshire woman killed by a sex attacker on early release from jail has won the right to a full inquest into her daughter's death.

Anthony Rice murdered mother-of-one Naomi Bryant just nine months after he was freed from a 16-year jail term.

Mid-Hampshire coroner Grahame Short decided not to hold an inquest after Rice pleaded guilty to her murder.

Civil rights group Liberty, acting on behalf of Naomi's mother Verna Bryant, threatened to mount a High Court challenge under the Human Rights Act.

The group argued that the state was obliged to hold a full inquest where it appears that public authorities may be implicated in someone's death.

The coroner's change of heart means that the very law which was blamed in part for releasing Rice will also ensure the circumstances behind his early release will face a full public inquiry.

Official inquiry Chief probation inspector Andrew Bridges conducted an official inquiry into the murder.

Mr Bridges said that the criminal was "too dangerous to be released in the first place" and that there were "substantial deficiencies" in the way Rice was supervised by probation and other officials in Hampshire.

The report stated that the Parole Board had placed an "increasing focus" on Rice's human rights, rather than on protecting the public.

Once he had been freed, the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) - a panel designed to protect the public from serious offenders in the community - was also "distracted" by considering Rice's human rights, the report added.

Rice strangled and stabbed to death 40-year-old Ms Bryant at her home in Rowlings Road, Winchester, in August last year, only days after they had met.

Rice, 49, was staying on licence at a charity-run hostel in nearby Otterbourne when the killing took place.

Ms Bryant's body was discovered by her daughter Hannah, who was then aged just 14.

Only nine months earlier, Rice - who had a string of violent and sexual offences dating back to when he was 12 - was released from a 16-year sentence for rape, indecent assault and actual bodily harm.

Liberty legal officer Anna Fairclough said: "The Bryants' loss is all the more tragic because Naomi's death might have been prevented had government bodies shared details about her murderer's psychopathic behaviour.

"Only by using the Human Rights Act can we seek to change the system and seek justice for the Bryants."

Coroner's officer Roger Matcham said: "The coroner has reversed his decision. He will be holding an inquest. He currently has the file which the police produced into the murder, which he is wading through.

"He will be setting a date for the inquest in due course."

Liberty and Mrs Bryant are also trying to sue the government under the Human Rights Act for failing to protect her.