A serial rapist who terrorised women across Greater Manchester and was given 13 life sentences was today released from prison. Andrew Barlow, formerly, Andrew Longmire, was taken under police escort to a hostel run by the Probation Service.
The Parole Board announced in December he was to be allowed out. The move was criticised by Deputy Prime Minister, Dominic Raab, who described Barlow's crimes as 'despicable'. He asked the Parole Board to reconsider. But a retired judge, a member of the Board, who looked at it again, agreed with the original decision.
Barlow, 66, was originally from Bolton, and later lived in Swinton, he has spent 34 years in jail. But one victim who spoke to the Manchester Evening News, last month, said her sentence is never ending.
Reacting to his release she told the MEN today: "I knew it was going to happen. But it all seems so quick since the Parole Board made its decision in December. Obviously I have not been told where he is - no one will. I fear he may change his name again. I believe there are other victims that have not yet come forward, and even at this late stage I hope they do. He has spent 34 years in jail, but he is still the same evil man. I think this is part of a drive to empty prisons because of the pressure they are under. Older prisoners are being let out - like Charles Bronson is applying for release too this week."
She added: "I believe he is still dangerous. He may be 66, but now he is coming out with a chip on his shoulder having spent 34 years inside." Blackley and Broughton MP, Graham Stringer, who called the decision to release Barlow a "perversion of justice" today confirmed to the Manchester Evening News that he had been informed Barlow had been moved from prison.
Barlow was given 11 life sentences in 1988 for raping 11 women and an additional 56 years for other offences. In 2010 and then again in 2017, he received two more life sentences after rapes he committed in 1981 and 1982 which were linked to him through advances in DNA technology. As he had already surpassed his original 20-year tariff imposed in 1988 just another two years were added to his sentence in each case.
He was dubbed 'The Coronation Street rapist' as most of the victims were attacked in their own terraced homes in the north of England - the majority living in Greater Manchester. Two of the attacks took place in the street. He also struck in Cheshire, Staffordshire, Lancashire, and South Yorkshire.
Barlow will be barred from Greater Manchester. In its summary of the decision to release Barlow the Parole Board says he will be subject to licence conditions., which must be strictly adhered to.
He will have to comply with requirements to reside at a designated address, to be of good behaviour, to disclose developing relationships, and to report as required for supervision or other appointments.
In addition, he must submit to an enhanced form of supervision or monitoring including drug testing, signing-in times, GPS trail monitoring, polygraph testing and a specified curfew.
Barlow will have to comply with other identified limitations concerning contacts, activities, residency and an exclusion zone to avoid contact with victims. He would also have to meet specified restrictions relating to the use of electronic technology and continue to work on addressing defined areas of risk in the community.
The Manchester Evening News can reveal that, so far, Barlow would be banned from all of Greater Manchester and most of North Wales. Maps of these exclusion zones were provided to a relative of one of his victims by the Probation Service.
In a letter to the son of another of Barlow's victims, sent this month, Damian Hinds, the Minister for Prisons and Probation, says: "I would like to offer you my deepest sympathy for the trauma caused by Longmire's crimes."
He adds: :"As you are aware, following a review of the release decision, the Secretary of State for Justice directed officials to apply to the Parole Board to have the decision reconsidered, by arguing that the release decision was irrational and had been made in connection with a material procedural error. The application was submitted on 17 January; however, on 2 February, a senior judicial member of the Parole Board refused the application and therefore, the release decision has now become final.
"I acknowledge that this news will be very disappointing to you and to other victims of Longmire, but please be assured that officials submitted the strongest possible case. Longmire will be subject to a stringent set of licence conditions, which include conditions requested by his victims, such as exclusion zones and a prohibition on Longmire ever contacting them. He will be required to reside in supervised accommodation and will also be subject to GPS monitoring to further ensure his compliance.
"I am sorry to have to send what I know may be a disappointing response for you, but I hope this helps set out the plans to manage Longmire safely in the community."
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “We know this will be an incredibly difficult time for the victims, but Andrew Barlow will be under close supervision for the rest of his life and can be recalled to prison if he breaches the strict conditions of his release.
“Our parole reforms will stand up for the rights of victims in cases like this, making public safety the overriding factor in parole decisions and adding a Ministerial veto on release of the most serious offenders.”
