A killer dubbed the Black Widow has been cleared for release after officials said cash she has earned from her prison art makes her less of a danger to men.
Dena Thompson, 61, was jailed for life for murder after hiding anti-depressants in second husband Julian Webb's curry at their home in Yapton, West Sussex, on his birthday in 1994.
Thompson had a history of conning men out of money and detectives said she targeted a string of victims “sexually, financially and physically”.
Among the poisoners' prison artworks are a collection of cakes made of felt on two records entitled "IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE".
Another created by the master cross stitcher while she was in HMP Send, Surrey, is a sleeveless dress made of ring pulls and wool called "ON THE PULL".
Sean McDonald, a former Sussex Police detective who investigated Thompson, described the artworks as "incredible" and "ironic".
He added: "We all have concerns about her reoffending. During her previous terms in jail she had been a model prisoner and there was no question she would be this time. That doesn't mean she's going to be rehabilitated.
"This is a warning for people in the community and I think it's important that it's in the public domain that she's out and about. Maybe she is rehabilitated, though I am sceptical."
A summary of the Parole Board decision to release Thompson, made public on Monday, said: "In this case, protective factors which would reduce the risk of reoffending were considered to include the financial backing built up from sale (sic) of her artwork."
Thompson must disclose any developing relationships and avoid contact with her victims as part of her licence conditions, the summary states.
She must also wear an electronic tag, sign in with probation staff and stick to a curfew as part of an enhanced monitoring scheme.
The summary says that at the time of her offending Thompson had abused the trust of men for her own financial gain, been "deceptive and rigid" in her ways of thinking, had a habit of holding grudges and struggled to control her temper.
She has completed a prison training course on victim awareness, taken part in therapy sessions and worked with a prison psychologist.
The summary concludes: "After considering the circumstances of her offending, the progress made while in custody and the other evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was satisfied that Ms Thompson was suitable for release once suitable accommodation becomes available in early June 2022."
Arrested in 1992 for taking money from Woolwich Building Society where she was a cashier, she was jailed for 18 months on 15 charges of deception.
Julian's body was exhumed after Thompson was cleared in 2000 of trying to kill her third husband, Richard Thompson.
She married the British Telecom exec in 1999, stole his life savings and ran up thousands on his credit cards while forging his signature to obtain loans.
He was naked and bound when she was said to have battered him with a baseball bat and stabbed him.
Charged with attempted murder, in August 2000 she told the jury at Lewes crown court she had acted in self defence when he turned violent after discovering she had stolen from him.
Cleared of attempted murder she was jailed for three years and nine months after pleading guilty to 15 charges of theft and dishonesty.
She was jailed for a minimum of 13 years for the murder of Julian in December 2003 after a month-long trial at the Old Bailey.
This term was increased to 16 years by Mr Justice Ousely in 2007. He said:
"Whether she is then released will be for the parole board to decide.
"At that stage it will consider the need for the public to be protected."
Detectives traced eight previous lovers, who may have lost £250,000 between them.
