THE government has vowed to protect the public following the impending release from prison of a Barrow man who vowed to blow up the town's hospital.

Leroy McCarthy, who uses the name Abdullah Mahmood since converting to Islam, is set o be released from prison this month.

The 24-year-old was jailed last October after making a number of violent statements on his Facebook page which included threats to blow up FGH.

He was released after serving his 18-week sentence but was taken back to jail after breaching the terms of his licence.

Prison officials became concerned after McCarthy developed a violent obsession with the Probation Service. He had plastered the walls of his cell at Preston Prison with his own drawings depicting probation officers being raped and decapitated.

This week Lancashire Police obtained a violent offender order for McCarthy which will restrict his movement and behaviour once he is released this month.

The order will prohibit McCarthy from entering any probation service premises or contacting the service's staff.

After McCarthy agreed to the order and said he "just wants to go home" Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said the people of Barrow "would not welcome him back".

McCarthy's return to Barrow will undoubtedly cause some concern in the community and his release raises questions about how his rehabilitation will be implemented.

The Ministry of Justice, which incorporates the Probation Service, does not comment on individual prisoners.

However, a spokeswoman pointed out that any individuals deemed to be the "highest risk offenders" would be managed through the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements process.

These arrangements are put in place for violent and sexual offenders and involve the police, probation and prison service.

This can include surveillance, regular meetings and requiring offenders to stay at approved residential premises.

Offenders can also be given strict licence conditions which can include not to have contact with a named individual or not to enter a defined exclusion zone

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Public protection is our number one priority and once an offenders’ tariff expires they will be closely monitored by the police and other agencies.”