The angry family of murdered nurse Jane Clough held a protest against the legal system they believe freed a killer and failed their daughter.
Her parents, John and Penny, along with 20 supporters, stood on Preston Crown Court steps wearing "Justice for Jane" T-shirts and badges, emblazoned with a smiling photo of their loved one, and holding aloft home-made banners.
One had a photo of murderer Jonathan Vass with the words: "I was freed on bail by Judge Simon Newell," followed by a photo of Miss Clough with the words: "And killed." Another banner read: "Reported rapes got no justice."
Ambulance technician and bouncer Vass, 30, launched a frenzied knife attack on Ms Clough, 26, as she arrived for work at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in July.
Vass, described as "manipulative and controlling", was freed to kill after being given bail while awaiting trial over allegations that he had repeatedly raped her. The rape charges were dropped after the murder.
Judge Anthony Russell QC handed down the mandatory life sentence before telling a weeping Vass he will serve a minimum of 30 years before he can be considered for release.
Miss Clough's family say she has been doubly failed - first by giving Vass bail and secondly by not putting him on trial for the rapes.
A further banner referred to Judge Russell's comments at an earlier hearing where he said the rape charge "pales into insignificance" compared to the murder - "the most serious crime in the criminal calendar," he told the court. A banner read: "Insignificant rapes? I could turn in my grave."
Miss Clough first called police on November 29 last year and officers acted quickly. He was arrested the same day and locked up. Charged with nine counts of rape, one of sexual assault and three counts of common assault he was remanded in custody at his first court appearance.
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But 12 days after he was held, the 17-stone bouncer and bodybuilder appeared at Burnley Crown Court where his defence applied for bail.
