The government has pledged to take "stronger oversight" of the parole system after a decision was taken to release one of the region’s worst rapists.
This comes after the parole board announced at the end of December that Andrew Barlow, the so-called "Coronation Street rapist" from Bolton, was set to be released despite serving 13 life sentences for his string of horrific crimes carried out in the 1980s.
Veteran Labour MP Graham Stringer, who represents Blackley and Broughton, has now asked questions in parliament about how some of Barlow’s victims were not warned.
He said: “One of the better ways of supporting rape victims is to ensure that when the rapist comes up for parole that the families of the victims and the victims themselves are informed that parole is being considered.
“In the case of Andrew Barlow, the so-called ‘Coronation Street rapist’ convicted of many rapes this hasn’t happened, the parole board is now recommending that he be released.”
Barlow, 66, who lived in Bolton and Oldham at various times, has been behind bars since 1988 after his series of sickening crimes committed against women in their own homes.
He was dubbed the "Coronation Street rapist" at the time because many of his attacks were carried out in traditional brick built terraced houses across Greater Manchester.
At one point Barlow, also known as Andrew Longmire, became Britain’s most wanted man and was only captured after trying to shoot his way out of a confrontation with police officers with a shotgun.
His most recent life sentence was handed down in 2017 when he was already in prison after he pleaded guilty to raping a 15-year-old girl at knifepoint in her home in Great Lever in January 1982.
Raising the case in the House of Commons last Tuesday Mr Stringer asked Justice Secretary Dominic Raab MP what he would do to ensure the parole system in cases like this works effectively.
In response Mr Raab said: "He is absolutely right to raise this case.
“It should happen, that notification should happen, and I will take it up and write to him afterwards.
“That support for the victims right through the process including to the parole of the perpetrator of such a serious offence is important.
"We would welcome the support of the benches opposite when we introduce our parole reforms so we have stronger ministerial oversight of the parole of the most dangerous offenders.
“They can't keep talking tough and not supporting, the action we are putting through this House."
ALSO READ: Serial 'Coronation Street Rapist' set for prison release despite 13 life sentences
ALSO READ: Serial rapist given 13th life sentence for attack on 15-year-old girl
Barlow’s freedom will depend on him keeping to certain licensing conditions set out by the parole board.
These conditions will include ordering him to stay at a designated address and comply with requirements to live there, to submit to advanced supervision and monitoring and to keep out of an inclusion zone to avoid contact with his victims.
Barlow will also be restricted in his use of electronic technology and will have to work on addressing defined areas of risk in the community.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article