Bolton ‘Coronation Street Rapist’ Andrew Barlow dies

Andrew Barlow, variously known as Andrew Longmire and Andrew Davies, lived in Bolton and Oldham at various times in the 1980s when he carried out a string of horrific sex attacks.

Barlow was dubbed “the Coronation Street Rapist” after attacking several of his victims in their own homes, which were often brick built terraced houses reminiscent of the soap opera setting.

The Prison and Probation Service Ombudsman confirmed that Barlow, by then known as Davies, died while a serving prisoner at the age of 69.

A PPO spokesperson said: “Adrian Usher, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, is conducting an independent investigation into the death of Andrew Davies on February 28, 2026.

“He was a prisoner at HMP Moorland”.

Andrew Barlow, pictured here in 2017 (Image: Newsquest)

Barlow’s string of sickening crimes, which ultimately saw him briefly become the most wanted man in the country, were carried out between 1981 and 1988.

He was finally caught after trying to shoot his way out of a confrontation with police officers with a shotgun and in 1988 was handed 12 life sentences.

The serial rapist was given yet another life sentence in 2017 when he pleaded guilty to raping a 15-year-old girl at knifepoint in Great Lever in January 1982.

Andrew Barlow was sentenced again at Bolton Crown Court in 2017 (Image: Phil Taylor)

But despite a total of 13 life sentences Barlow was at the centre of a highly controversial decision to release him under the supervision of the probation services in March 2023.

The move sparked widespread condemnation, including from Blackley and Broughton MP Graham Stringer.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed at the time that Barlow had been ordered to keep to strict conditions as part of his release.

These included being banned from the whole of Greater Manchester and ordered to stay at a specific address.

Barlow was kept under advanced supervision and monitoring and to keep out of an inclusion zone to avoid contact with his victims, while his use of electronic equipment was restricted.

But Barlow’s freedom in 2023 lasted only a matter of weeks after he was recalled to prison after breaching his conditions.

Barlow later tried to appeal against his recall but by the time of his death on February 28 this year was a serving prisoner HMP Moorland in Yorkshire.

A full report on Barlow’s death at HMP Moorland is expected to be published once Mr Usher has finished his investigation.