THE family of a man jailed for shooting at a police officer say he should be released due to ill health and being reformed.

Christopher Maitland, 31, is being treated for cancer and has had a leg amputated since being jailed more than ten years ago.

His family said he has “seen the error of his ways” and poses no danger.

He was given a life sentence in January 2005 after he went on the run from a young offenders’ institute, where he was serving a five-year sentence for robbing The Sussex pub, Hove.

Wanting to “commit suicide by cop,” he shot at a police officer with an air gun while climbing up St Peter’s Church in York Place, Brighton, and was shot by police in turn.

He has been in prison ever since. His family say he has been eligible for release since 2008.

His mother, Marilyn Maitland, said the family is pressing the authorities for his release.

She added: “From the position of now being nearly 32, and trying to manage from a wheelchair, he is no threat to anyone. He has grown up and seen the error of his ways.

“His behaviour in prison has been fine – even the prison officers are saying, ‘We don’t know why he is still inside’.”

Mr Maitland, who lived in Worthing before his imprisonment, is in an open prison – HMP Spring Hill prison – and is allowed out twice a month.

He has been going to hospital regularly for chemotherapy and is due to have an operation because his testicular cancer has spread to beneath his lungs and on his aorta.

His leg was amputated above the knee in 2007 after his pelvis, where he was shot by police, became infected and the infection spread.

The Argus understands one psychiatrist has recommended he be kept inside while others have recommended he be released.

However, his family stress he has not behaved violently or wrongly in prison and is very remorseful.

He has been working and gained a Bachelor’s degree in medicine and health sciences.

His mother added she was concerned that his ill-health meant he could not build up the required history of successful community visits to convince parole he was a good candidate for release.

She added: “He just wants to get out and get on with his life.

“He wants to start his own business and, depending on his health, try and make a home.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said they did not comment on individual cases.