AXE killer Jan Charlton is pictured by photographer Marc Berry on Tuesday at her parents' home just hours after being freed from prison.

The 37-year-old former escort girl walked free from Askham Grange Open Prison shortly before 7am after serving just 18 months of her sentence for the manslaughter of her lover, a Bolton businessman.

And speaking on the doorstep of her parents' home in Middleton, near Manchester, she smiled and said: "I want to put everything behind me now."

Charlton, who was jailed for the manslaughter of Harwood tycoon Daniel O'Brien, was driven away from the open prison near York by her parents, Beryl and Herbert Kenny earlier in the day.

They travelled to their Middleton home with blonde-haired Charlton on the back seat.

Charlton, wearing black rimmed glasses and a black top, was in jovial mood on her arrival at her parents' home.

She said: "I am happy to be out and I want to spend Christmas with my family.

"I'm looking forward to spending some quality time at home now. I've read a lot of the press coverage over the last 18 months, but I just want to put everything behind me now and move on."

Charlton had been in Askham Grange for three weeks after being transferred from Buckley Hall, Rochdale, on November 11.

She had served 18 months for 44-year-old Mr O'Brien's manslaughter.

Askham Grange, seven miles west of York, is a female open training prison which specialises in re-settling inmates.

It is set in a quiet village in its own spacious grounds. Before her release, Charlton's parents said they had organised a party for her at their semi-detached home in Middleton.

The news of her release has angered 73-year-old Elizabeth O'Brien, mother of the businessman Charlton killed.

Charlton was jailed for the manslaughter of Mr O'Brien, who she hit more than 20 times over the head and shoulders with a fireman's axe.

Mrs O'Brien, who still lives in Harwood, said: "I am overcome with grief every day. She lied and lied about my son and I only hope she suffers. This isn't over yet."

Mr O'Brien was discovered bound and gagged in the couple's master bedroom in their home in Midgley, West Yorkshire, in May 2001.

A murder trial was told that Charlton, wearing stockings and suspenders, bludgeoned him to death while her four-year-old daughter, Amy, played in the garden.

Police found Mr O'Brien with the axe still in his head. A lace suspender belt was draped across the handle.

Charlton claimed she killed Mr O'Brien because he threatened to kill her and abuse her daughter.

She was sentenced to five years in jail for the manslaughter of the wealthy businessman. It was reduced to three-and-a-half years by the Appeal Court in London in February.

Charlton's parents have confirmed Charlton will live with them. Mrs Kenny said: "We just wanted Janet home among her family and friends. We heard what was said in court, but as a family we want to provide her with support and get her back in the bosom of her family."

"This is not a cause for celebration. All we are concerned about is Janet coming home and she will be with the people who love her for Christmas.

"We want to get back to some sort of normality and help Janet get on with her life."