Anger as ‘ruthless’ rapist PC is freed
‘It is impossible to understand’
CAMPAIGNERS hit out last night after a police officer turned double rapist was reportedly freed from prison after serving only a fraction of his two life sentences.
Stephen Mitchell, 50, of Glasgow, carried out a sickening series of attacks on women while serving at a police station in Newcastle.
Trial judge Mr Justice Wilkie described Mitchell as a ‘ruthless sexual predator’ who was a danger to women.
He said Mitchell would serve seven and a half years in jail before being considered for parole, adding: ‘Thereafter, you will only be released, if at all, if the parole board have concluded it is safe and in the public interest for you to be released on public licence. That may not be for many years, if ever.’
Last night, the Sunday Mail reported that Mitchell has been freed after seven years and has been seen riding a £500 Kona mountain bike near his parents’ home in Mosspark, Glasgow.
The Parole Board for England and Wales confirmed a panel had directed the release of Mitchell following an oral hearing in September 2017.
Labour MP Yvette Cooper said: ‘For someone who has committed such appalling crimes and been told they may not be released for many years, to then be subject to release after seven and a half years is just impossible to understand.’