THE sister of a man jailed 13 years ago for an armed robbery he committed as a 15-year-old teenager has called on the public to sign a petition for his release from prison.

Lisa Donlan from Bewsey, who works as a support worker, has launched a campaign to ensure her 27-year-old brother, David Donlan, is released following his parole hearing in July.

David was jailed more than 13 years ago after committing an armed robbery on the streets of Runcorn – stealing cash, a mobile phone and a gold chain.

While mum-of-one Lisa says she does not wish to deter from the serious actions of her brother on that day, she now feel he has been punished long enough.

The 26-year-old said: "David had been put in a bail hostel. He did not have any money and he was away from his family. 

"He was just 15 and he was a young lad and he did not realise the seriousness of it all.

"He pleaded guilty to the crime and he has never denied it.

"His attitude back then was completely different but his life has changed."

The Donlan family is no stranger to heartache after David and Lisa's brother Donald Donlan was brutally murdered in 2008.

She said: "One of the lads who played a part in my brother's murder will only do 13 years.

"David has done more than that for an armed robbery. I'm not making excuses for what he has done because it was wrong.

"But he has had all these years to deal with the consequences of that.

"He was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 18 - my mum tried to get him assessed at the age of six.

"If he had access to the right medication and had been diagnosed sooner then he might not have committed the armed robbery."

During his time in prison, David has missed his dad's, brother's and two of his grandparents' funerals.

In order to be eligible for parole in the summer, David needs to have completed a rehabilitation course to prepare him for the outside world but has yet to be accepted on to a place.

She said: "As far as I know his behaviour has been good apart from one set of charges which were brought against him while he was in prison but this has all been in the last couple of years because he has been frustrated. 

“He just wants to be out.

"Other than that it is just silly things like using his friend's mobile phone and being caught.

"He just wants to be out with his family. 13 years is a long chunk of his life."

To sign the petition click here.