The number of sex offenders convicted of committing another attack after being freed from jail has hit a new high – fuelling fears probation officers are failing to keep the public safe.
Figures obtained from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) show 121 serious sexual offences were committed over five years by prisoners released from sentences for previous sex crimes.
It means scores of victims suffered sex attacks while the offender was supposedly being monitored by probation officers.
Data released under Freedom of Information laws shows 49 of these cases took place in the most recent year.
One horrific example was last year’s case of Anthony Roberts, a serial sex offender who carried out a frenzied knife attack. Roberts, 56, had been freed from prison five months earlier despite a warning in parole reports that he posed an imminent risk of ‘serious injury and potential death’.
Figures obtained from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) show 121 serious sexual offences were committed over five years by prisoners released from sentences for previous sex crimes. Pictured: Anthony Roberts
It means scores of victims suffered sex attacks while the offender was supposedly being monitored by probation officers. Pictured: Jordan McSweeney
Data released under Freedom of Information laws shows 49 of these cases took place in the most recent year. Pictured: Zara Aleena, 35, who was murdered by Jordan McSweeney
His criminal record included attacking women and indecent exposure. In his latest attack, for which he received a life sentence, he assaulted a woman in her 70s with a knife as she walked alongside the River Severn in Worcester.
Last year inspectors said the probation service was ‘struggling’, faced ‘chronic staff shortages’ and was ‘consistently weak’ in protecting the public.
Justin Russell, the then chief inspector of probation, said he had ‘significant concerns’ that officials were making ‘inaccurate, incorrect or incomplete’ assessments of offenders’ risks.
He also warned a rise in probation officers working from home was potentially increasing the risks with some appointments becoming little more than ‘check-ins’.
In January last year Mr Russell’s team found probation blunders meant a sexual predator described as a ‘ticking timebomb’ was left free to kill a law graduate.
Zara Aleena, 35, was walking home from a night out with friends when Jordan McSweeney leapt out of the darkness and murdered her in a frenzy of violence. The 29-year-old thug had been released on licence from jail nine days earlier.
Justin Russell (pictured), the then chief inspector of probation, said he had ‘significant concerns’ that officials were making ‘inaccurate, incorrect or incomplete’ assessments of offenders’ risks
Mr Russell has said McSweeney, who had been wrongly classified as ‘medium risk’ rather than ‘high risk’, should have been recalled to prison six days before the attack.
Rebecca Hitchen, of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said: ‘Every part of the criminal justice system is crumbling when it comes to responding to violence against women and girls.’
An MoJ spokesman said: ‘Fewer than 0.5 per cent of offenders subject to supervision go on to commit serious further offences and our new laws keep the most serious criminals behind bars for longer.’
David Spencer, of the think-tank Policy Exchange and a former detective chief inspector with the Metropolitan Police, said: ‘Dangerous criminals are free to roam our streets. It is a horrific indictment on the ability or willingness of Government to take the steps necessary to keep us all safe.’
News Related-
Russian forces encircle Ukraine’s Avdiivka and ‘ready to storm city’ after months-long offensive
-
Emery could land Bailey upgrade in Aston Villa move for "unique" 6 ft 2 maestro
-
Keir Starmer is keen to tell you that there are no easy answers on immigration. Well, here’s one
-
Newcastle United in transfer talks with the new Robert Lewandowski: report
-
Football rumours: Juventus eyeing swoop for Thomas Partey
-
On this day in 2015: Jamie Vardy scores in 11th game in a row
-
At least 20,000 lives a year could be saved by 2040 if UK adopts ‘bold new cancer plan’
-
UK scientists studying ‘teaspoon-sized’ sample from asteroid Bennu to understand origin of life
-
This Christmas, please spare us the mix of irony and knitwear
-
Napoleon’s dialogue isn’t ‘laughably bad’ – it’s supposed to be that way
-
Sisters transform loss-making business into near £100m giant
-
Israel-Hamas war live: 33 Palestinians freed after 11 Israeli hostages released; Gaza truce extended by two days
-
Rangers boss Philippe Clement targets two new signings in January transfer window
-
20mph default speed limit 'putting tourists off visiting Wales'