Fears for Lennon's killer if released

John Lennon fans are threatening revenge attacks on his murderer Mark Chapman, should he be released by a New York parole board next month.

Crazed Beatles fan Chapman has served 24 years for killing Lennon outside his Manhattan home on 8 December 1980 - and he is due a parole hearing in the week beginning 4 October.

Officials say the hearing will be held behind closed doors and insist they have no idea what the outcome will be - but fans of the slain pop legend are already anticipating Chapman's possible release.

Websites devoted to Lennon have begun filling with messages from fans around the world promising to take revenge on Chapman.

A Finnish fan writes on one site: "Chapman should be executed. I would gladly

get rid of him myself."

Another has started a petition to have Chapman's parole turned down. A message posted on the petition site reads: "If Mark David Chapman is let out of jail, he wouldn't last a day. There are too many people who want him dead."