Bolton: Serial rapist Andrew Barlow freed from prison

Andrew Barlow, 66, carried out a string of horrific sex attacks on women and girls in their own homes in Bolton and elsewhere across the region.

He was jailed in 1988 but following a highly controversial parole process, Barlow has now been released, albeit under the supervision of probation services.

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.”

Andrew Barlow was jailed in 1988 (Image: PA)

Barlow, formerly known as Andrew Longmire, lived in Bolton and Oldham at various times throughout the 1980s.

During that time he became Britain’s most wanted man after carrying out a string of sickening attacks on a number of victims.

He was dubbed the ‘Coronation Street rapist’ because many of these attacks were carried out in brick built terraced houses reminiscent of the drama series’ setting.

Barlow’s crimes were only stopped when he was captured after trying to shoot his way out of a confrontation with police officers with a shotgun.

Barlow received yet another life sentence in 2017 (Image: GMP)

Years after being jailed in 1988 his most recent life sentence was handed down in 2017 when he pleaded guilty to raping a 15-year-old girl at knifepoint in her home in Great Lever in January 1982.

The parole board’s decision to release Barlow, announced towards the end of last year, provoked widespread condemnation with veteran Blackley and Broughton MP Graham Stringer having raised the issue in the House of Commons in January.

In response, Justice Secretary Dominic Raab MP pledged to introduce reforms to give ministers more oversight over decisions to parole the most dangerous criminals.

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Barlow will remain banned from the whole of Greater Manchester and is required to stay at a designated address.

He will have to 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.