THE family of a pensioner murdered by a prostitute say their agony is being prolonged this Christmas as they face an anxious wait for a decision on her killer's potential release next month.

Sandha Robertson, 51, of Wibsey, the daughter-in-law of Mary Robertson, who was stabbed to death on Boxing Day 1998, said the festive period is "horrendous" for her family enough already.

But she adds Christmas is worse this year as they wait for a decision on an appeal from Mrs Robertson's killer via a Parole Board hearing in January.

The 67-year-old was killed at the home of her lifelong friend Nora Stannard in Church Street, Manningham.

Jane Pauline Cawley admitted murder and wounding with intent and was jailed for life in November 1999.

Mrs Stannard was also stabbed and had her throat slashed in the attack, but survived.

The two women befriended Cawley after they had met in the New Inn, Manningham, and offered to take her in away from her pimp.

Cawley attacked them when she refused to leave after outstaying her welcome.

A minimum jail term was not set by the judge, but a High Court hearing in July 2008 reviewed the case and set a tariff of 13 years and six months.

Sandha said, as the murder took place over the festive period, her family suffer an "horrendous" time over Christmas.

She adds this has been magnified as they wait for the Parole Board's decision on Cawley's potential release.

This decision has been deferred from August 2014 and Sandha adds they have not heard about a definite date for the hearing next month.

She said: "Christmas time is horrendous.

"This year, Christmas is even worse for us, as we have the Parole Board hearing straight after. We don't know when it's going to be decided in January.

"As it comes up to Boxing Day all of the wounds open up. We have never forgotten it. It never leaves you.

"To hear after Christmas as well makes you sick in the stomach.

"At Christmas we just relive it. We light a candle for Mary.

"This time of year is worse for all of the family. All of Mary's family will take this to the grave. We just try to learn to live with it.

"It's appalling.

"It's like a death penalty that we're waiting for. We know this is coming.

"I can't believe this is happening. We are on tenterhooks.

"We have not done anything wrong, but we feel if we have done the crime and just sat waiting on the Parole Board's decision.

"The extra wait has made it more frustrating.

"We have never forgotten it. It never leaves you."

A Parole Board spokesman said it could not give out specific case details, but confirmed an oral hearing will take place in mid-January. After the oral hearing, the panel will have 14 days to issue the decision.