Victim ‘disgusted’ at early prison release

A LEEDS man who sexually abused his daughter throughout her childhood was released from prison early this weekend, despite her heartfelt plea to officials to keep him behind bars.

Joseph Joyce, then 67, was sentenced to 12 years in 2011 for raping and indecently assaulting Paula Bairstow as well as offences of indecency against two other female victims.

Mrs Bairstow, inset, who waived her right to anonymity, last week spoke to

The Yorkshire Post about the grave concerns she held about Joyce’s potential release and how she had written to the Parole Board to oppose his application for release.

She had believed it would be weeks before a decision was reached, so it came as an even greater shock when she received a call on Friday to say her father was being freed. Mrs Bairstow, 53, yesterday said: “I’m absolutely disgusted. Out of a 12-year sentence, he’s done six years. Six years when he’s snatched an entire childhood.” She said that she had not expected his application to be approved. “I really didn’t think he would be let out,” she said. “He was convicted of rape and indecent assault. I thought the charges were severe enough to keep him in there, regardless of whether he is poorly.” Joyce will be subject to various conditions following his release on licence and will be recalled to prison to serve the rest of his sentence if he breaks them. The Parole Board does not comment on individual cases.