THE family of a convicted killer have slammed prison bosses for refusing to allow him out to attend his father’s funeral.

Ricky Percival, 37, is serving a 26 year sentence for shooting dead 24-year-old Dean Boshell in a gangland-style execution at allotments in Manchester Drive, Westcliff, in 2001.

He also tried to gun down three members of the Tretton family in June 1999, after breaking in to a house in Locksley Close, Southend.

Despite his crimes, which Percival still denies, family and friends say the authorities failed to show the same “basic humanity” offered to other notorious criminals such as the Krays and Jack Whomes, who killed Tony Tucker, Patrick Tate and Craig Rolfe in a Rettendon in 1995.

Percival’s dad David died on March 11 from a stomach aneurysm and had suffered from dementia for years.

The funeral was held at Southend Crematorium on Wednesday and the family expected Percival to arrive from Dovegate Prison in Staffordshire.

Mum Sandy Percival said: “He’s absolutely gutted. Although it wasn’t said in writing it was more or less agreed that he would go to his dad’s funeral.

“One of the prison officers cancelled a day off and another volunteered to go with him. But on the day Ricky was told Essex Police had denied the request.”

Mrs Percival, 69, said her son was still “paying for something that he hasn’t done.”

Mr Percival was 74 and leaves behind another son, Danny. Mrs Percival said her husband had not been able to see his imprisoned son for years because of his illness.

Bernard O’Mahoney, an author and supporter, said despite the “heinous” crimes for which he was convicted he should have been allowed out, particularly as he is a category B prisoner.

He said: “Jack Whomes, one of the Essex Boys killers, was released to go to his father’s funeral and he killed three men.

“The Krays were allowed out for their mother’s funeral. Even the Yorkshire Ripper was allowed out to scatter his father’s ashes. It’s really had a massive effect on the family.

“I’m not saying that his alleged crimes were anything but heinous, but as a civilised society we have to show compassion to people.”

Extradition over associate's death may have scuppered funeral plans

A CONVICTED killer may have been barred from attending his father’s funeral because he is wanted over the death of a man in Spain.

Ricky Percival is alleged to have been in the country between 2002 and 2003 where he was involved in drug dealing. A deal is said to have gone wrong, resulting in him being stabbed.

Percival is said to have driven away in a car but crashed, allegedly killing Basildon-born associate Frank Wright.

Spanish authorities want to extradite him but it is unlikely the UK would agree to do so until he has finished serving his sentence.

The extradition warrant lists one road safety offence and one count of causing death by carelessness. Percival is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later this year.

Prison bosses rarely tell prisoners whether day release requests will be granted until the day of the funeral, to prevent escape attempts.

Category A prisoners are banned form temporary day release and Percival is category B.

However, the Prison Reform Trust advises that those facing extradition proceedings are unlikely to be granted day release.

The Echo contacted Essex Police but we were referred to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

The MoJ said they had asked contractors Serco to respond. After the Echo contacted Serco we did not receive a reply.

UPDATE 29/3/17: The following day, John Hewitson, Serco’s Contract Director at HMP Dovegate, said: "It is always our intention to allow prisoners to be able to attend funerals of close family members.

"However we do need undertake a risk assessment and unfortunately there are occasions where we cannot agree to individual requests on security grounds."