VICTIMS’ LAW
Outrage at ‘terrifying’ loophole in law
pleading guilty at Bradford crown court. Also being considered for release with no warning to victims is Phillip Green, jailed for life for raping a 92-year-old.
The 19-year-old from Cardiff pleaded guilty in 1999 to rape, burglary and wounding with intent. The judge called him a psychopath who presented a “grave and immediate danger to the general public for the foreseeable future”.
The Parole Board is also considering freeing Sylvester Semper, 53, jailed for life BARONESS NEWLOVE VICTIMS’ COMMISSIONER in 1995 for five rapes. Victims of Dennis Kellerman, 41, will not have been told he was released earlier this year after being jailed for a minimum eight years for attacking four women.
The Recorder of London, called him “a potential danger for the foreseeable future”. Another rapist released without victims being warned is Andrew Towers, 46, who was freed two years ago. When he was jailed for a minimum 10 years at Nottingham in 1998 the judge said he would be a “grave and immediate danger’’ to the public for the foreseeable future. Serial sex offender Raymond Genas, 53, is also being prepared for release from a life sentence without victims being tipped off. The Mirror has uncovered all these cases after black cab rapist John Worboys was cleared to leave jail with only one victim warned.
At present, victims are eligible to be told of the release of offenders sentenced after March 2001 to a year or more for a violent or sexual offence. Next of kin or close family of murder victims are also eligible. The Ministry of Justice is looking at changing the system so victims opt out if they do not want updating rather than opting in.
Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Newlove said: “Regardless of when a crime takes place, victims must have the opportunity to be informed of releases and consulted on licence conditions.
“I would like to see more being done to publicise the scheme.
“Finding out an offender has been released third hand or, worse, bumping into them in the street, can be terrifying.”
Finding out the offender has been released... by bumping into them in the street can be terrifying