Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has stepped in to stop a murderer who stabbed a man to death outside a pub being transferred to an open prison.

The family of 21-year-old Mark Webster, killed outside The Fleece pub on Main Street, Addingham, by Leroy Griffith in 2002, feared the killer could return to within three miles of their homes, under conditions of weekend visits to Leeds, if he is moved to a Category D prison.

Griffith was given a life sentence in 2002, and it was confirmed he should serve a minimum of 14 years in prison.

Mark Webster’s father Tim read a statement at a parole hearing in a bid to stop Barbados-born Griffith being allowed to make visits close to the Ilkley area if transferred to a lower security prison. Mr Webster says he was recently informed that the Parole Board had recommended the transfer should go ahead, subject to the agreement of the Secretary of State.

But Mr Grayling has gone against the recommendation, in what was said to be a rare move. Tim Webster, of Ilkley, said: “When Victim Support rang me they said they’d never heard of it happening before.”

He said that it was “very good news” – but still feels the justice system is letting down victims’ families.

Griffith is likely to be eligible to make another application in October, 2014, says Mr Webster.

The family would like to know Mr Grayling’s reasons for opposing the transfer, and if the situation may arise again in a year’s time. He said: “For me and my family, and for other families, the justice system is failing.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “We do not comment on individual cases. The allocation of prisoners to individual establishments is by law a matter for the Secretary of State.”

Keighley MP, Kris Hopkins, said he had himself spoken to Mr Grayling.

Mr Hopkins said: “I have the highest respect for Tim Webster, who has conducted himself with the utmost dignity in the most harrowing of circumstances. I remain determined to continue to do what I can to see that the judge’s recommendation at trial – that Griffith is deported upon release – is adhered to and that justice is properly done.”