Justice Secretary David Lammy has rejected the Parole Board’s third recommendation to let Edward Bartley out of closed jail over fears the ‘Battersea Beast’ will strike again
A serial rapist has been blocked for a third time from moving out of closed prison over fears he will strike again.
Edward Bartley, 64, dubbed the “Battersea Beast”, was jailed for a terrifying knifepoint assault after he had been released early from a 20-year sentence for targeting lone women. He was cleared by the Parole Board for a move to open prison in 2020 and again two years later, but on both occasions the decision was blocked by the Secretary of State for Justice.
The Parole Board ruled for a yet again in December that he should be allowed to leave the closed prison system. But Justice Secretary David Lammy has now made the decision to “block” Bartley’s move for a third time.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Edward Bartley committed appalling attacks against women. Public protection is our top priority which is why the Deputy Prime Minister rejected the Parole Board’s recommendation for a move to open conditions.”
One of Bartley’s victims said: “The trauma that the victims go through every time the parole board decides to let a monster like this into society is totally unjust. Three times now the parole board has given the go ahead to let this monster be reintroduced into society. And three times the ministry of justice has blocked their decision.
“What does it take for the Parole Board to see this monster should never be released into society? The parole board is failing society when it comes to women’s safety.
“There must be a change, repeat rape offenders should under no circumstance be allowed to be reintroduced to society. The justice system should be protecting the victims, not the offenders.”
One woman, who was 17 when raped by Bartley in 1989, said last year: “Being raped is a terrifying experience. Please, please don’t let him get out.”
Bartley was jailed in 1992 for 20 years for a three-and-a-half year campaign of terror in which he attacked five women. Wearing a mask and carrying a knife, he prowled Battersea, South West London. Bartley was freed in 2004 and three years later raped a 19-year-old in South East London after taking her to his flat. He was jailed for life with a minimum of 12 years, making him now eligible for parole.
At 15, he had admitted 23 burglaries. In 1979, he got three months’ detention for an assault. Four years later he was jailed for five years for robbery. He had tied up and gagged his elderly victim.
The Parole Board said in December: “We can confirm the Parole Board refused the release of Edward Bartley but recommended a move to an open conditions prison following an oral hearing. We will only make a recommendation for open conditions if a Parole Board panel is satisfied that the risk to the public has reduced sufficiently to be manageable in an open prison.”
