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Early jail release upsets dad

The father of a Perth cyclist killed in a hit-and-run crash has told of his disappointment that the man charged with helping the drink-driver flee the scene has been released from jail and is back behind the wheel.

Sean James Smith, 30, was sentenced to 20 months jail in May last year after being found guilty of assisting his friend Ross Thomas Murray escape the scene of the crash that killed Tim Anderson, 26, in Cottesloe on March 8, 2012.

Mr Anderson's family believe Smith, who had previous drink-driving and reckless driving convictions and admitted drinking eight to 10 pints before getting in his car, should have also been charged with drink-driving or speeding offences.

Smith, a father of two, was released on May 29 after serving just over 12 months of his sentence.

The Prisoners Review Board decided his release would not present an unacceptable risk to the safety of the community because of the conditions of his parole and his participation in a number of programs with "reported gains in recognising the role of alcohol as a trigger to his offending".

Smith is allowed to drive but his parole conditions require that he does not drink alcohol or enter licensed premises and that he submit to random breath testing by police.

He also has to provide urine samples and attend counselling.

Murray was sentenced to five years and three months jail after pleading guilty to aggravated dangerous driving causing death and failing to stop.

Mr Anderson's father Ian said it was disappointing that Smith was back on the road.

"What scares me most is that this guy has multiple previous drink-driving convictions, but he wasn't charged with anything relating to drink-driving," Mr Anderson said.

"A serial drink-driver is back on the roads - that is upsetting."