The Yorkshire Ripper 's ex-wife visited him at Broadmoor - and the taxpayer picked up the bill for her £200 train ticket.
Monster Peter Sutcliffe, who murdered 13 women, is said to have been cheered up by seeing his former spouse Sonia, 65.
She was able to claim the cash for her journey from Bradford because she is still listed as Sutcliffe’s 'interested other' - despite the fact they have been divorced for more than 20 years.
But relatives of the 69-year-old killer's victims have slammed the decision.
Neil Jackson, whose mum Emily was Sutcliffe's second victim in January 1976, told the Sun : “This should not be allowed, it is a disgrace.
“Why should she be allowed a free visit? It makes me sick.
“What he did still casts a dark shadow over our lives, especially at this time of year, with the anniversary of it coming up as well.
“It is insulting that she is still in touch with him. If she wants to travel to see him she should stand the bill herself.”
Sonia first met Sutcliffe in 1967 and they married in 1974.
They spent 20 years together before getting divorced in 1994 - a full 13 years after he was arrested and convicted of the murders.
Four years later she married Michael Woodward, 55, who is said to disapprove of her relationship with the murderer.
Sucliffe feared Sonia, 65, who has not been seen visiting him since May 2008, would cut all ties with him.
Free travel warrants are granted to close family of patients at Broadmoor.
Sonia applied for one before her visit on December 12.
Pictures show the former teacher visiting the high security unit wearing a blue coat, maroon trousers, walking shoes and a backpack.
One onlooker described her as "like any older lady out for a walk on a nice winter’s day", rather than being off to visit an infamous killer.
She visited Sutcliffe between 2 and 4pm, then again from 6 to 8pm.
A source told the Sun she made the journey to "put his mind at rest" because he has "been really down after being told he would go back to prison".
West Yorkshire Tory MP Alec Shelbrook also blasted the freebie.
He said: “The taxpayer seems to be mollycoddling a man who destroyed the families of 13 women.
“He’s expecting us to foot the bill so he can meet his ex-wife.
“There are 13 families still suffering and mourning this Christmas after the brutal murder of their loved ones. It’s simply an outrage. If he wants to see people they should make visits under their own steam and not expect the hard-working taxpayer to foot the bill.
“I’ll be delighted if he goes into a proper prison because he’s been getting a cushy number for far too long.
“It’s about time he underwent the same punishment and confinement most murderers get.”
Sutcliffe was jailed for life in 1981 but moved to Broadmoor in 1984.
Sonia still lives in the marital home they bought in 1977.
