Sex attacker dubbed Coronation Street Rapist tries to get parole despite breaking rules on release

A sex offender known as the “Coronation Street Rapist” is trying to get parole again – despite breaking the rules on his last release from prison.

Andrew Barlow got his nickname for attacks on women, especially in terraced houses Houses in Manchester, where the soap opera is filmed.

The 67-year-old lifer was released on parole in March last year – despite attempts by then-Justice Minister Dominic Raab to prevent this.

Three months later, he was sent back to prison for violating the conditions.

However, he will again ask for his release at an appeal hearing on Wednesday.

A source said: “He believes he should not have been removed and poses no threat.”

The parole board said: “Protecting the public is our top priority.”

A spokesman for the parole board said: “An oral hearing has been scheduled for parole. review by Andrew Barlow and is scheduled to take place in June 2024.

“The decisions of the parole board are based exclusively on the risk a prisoner could pose to the public if released and whether this risk is manageable in society.

“A panel will carefully examine a wide range of evidence, including details of the original crime and any evidence of changes in behaviour. It will also examine the harm caused to victims by the crime and its impact.

“In the run-up to an oral hearing, members read and process hundreds of pages of evidence and reports.

“The hearing will then include testimony from witnesses, including probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, as well as officials supervising the offender in prison, as well as personal statements from victims.

“The prisoner and witnesses are then questioned extensively during the hearing, which often lasts a whole day or more.
“Parole reviews are conducted thoroughly and with the utmost care. Protecting the public is our top priority.”