EXCLUSIVE: Major update on serial rapist Battersea Beast's plea to move to open prison

EXCLUSIVE: MAJOR UPDATE ON SERIAL RAPIST BATTERSEA BEAST'S PLEA TO MOVE TO OPEN PRISON

A serial rapist has been blocked for a third time from moving out of closed prison over fears he will strike again.

Edward Bartley, 64, dubbed the "Battersea Beast", was jailed for a terrifying knifepoint assault after he had been released early from a 20-year sentence for targeting lone women.

He was cleared by the Parole Board for a move to open prison in 2020 and again two years later, but on both occasions the decision was blocked by the Secretary of State for Justice.

The Parole Board ruled again in December that he should be allowed to leave the closed prison system.

But Justice Secretary David Lammy has now made the decision to "block" Bartley's move for a third time.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Edward Bartley committed appalling attacks against women.

Public protection is our top priority which is why the Deputy Prime Minister rejected the Parole Board’s recommendation for a move to open conditions.” One of Bartley's victims said: "The trauma that the victims go through every time the parole board decides to let a monster like this into society is totally unjust.

Three times now the parole board has given the go ahead to let this monster be reintroduced into society.

And three times the ministry of justice has blocked their decision." Bartley’s criminal history includes being jailed in 1992 for 20 years for a campaign of terror in which he attacked five women, wearing a mask and carrying a knife, prowling Battersea, South West London.

After being released in 2004, he raped a 19-year-old in South East London later, leading to a life sentence with a minimum of 12 years, making him eligible for parole.

His earlier crimes began with 23 burglaries admitted at age 15, followed by multiple convictions for assault and robbery.