JOHN DILLON FROM LEEDS DENIED FREEDOM AFTER SEVEN-YEAR STRUGGLE IN PRISON

In a significant legal decision, a sex offender from Leeds has seen his attempt to secure early release from prison firmly rejected by a panel of judges at one of Europe’s most prominent courts. John Dillon, a resident of Cottingley Drive, Morley, Leeds, has been involved in a lengthy and complex legal battle concerning his detention, which has lasted over seven years.

John Dillon was convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl while he was already on licence for previous offenses involving the indecent assault of other young girls. His original sentence, handed down in April 2007, mandated that he serve a minimum of four years in prison. Despite this, Dillon sought to challenge the legality of his continued detention, arguing that his rights were being violated and that he should be released. He took his case to the European Court of Human Rights, claiming that the way his prison courses were organized prevented him from demonstrating that he posed a reduced risk to the public.

In his legal challenge, Dillon contended that the prison system’s inefficiencies hindered his rehabilitation efforts. He argued that the lack of proper access to assessment and treatment programs meant he could not prove he was less dangerous. However, the court, comprising seven judges, dismissed these claims, stating, “The Court is satisfied that a real opportunity for rehabilitation was provided to the applicant and that there was no unreasonable delay in providing him access to assessments and courses.”

Currently detained at HMP Whatton in Nottinghamshire, Dillon was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection following his conviction for sexual assault. The judges clarified that his release after serving the minimum tariff period was contingent upon approval from the Parole Board. Dillon had completed the core Sex Offenders Treatment Programme (SOTP) in 2009 and was assessed as suitable for the extended version of the program. Nonetheless, prison authorities later determined that he lacked sufficient motivation to undertake the extended course, which he believed was essential to addressing the risks he posed.

Despite his efforts, access to the extended SOTP was delayed, prompting Dillon to complain that this hindered his ability to reduce his risk to the public. The European Court of Human Rights concluded that the prison system had taken prompt steps to facilitate his progression, even before his minimum tariff expired. They noted that the nine-month delay between the expiry of his tariff and his reassessment for the extended SOTP was not unreasonable, and thus, his rights had not been violated.

In a related incident in July 2007, John Dillon, then 51, was convicted of dressing as Santa Claus to prey on vulnerable children at a pub party. This was not his first offense; he was already on licence after 50 previous attacks. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl he had invited to sit on his knee, an act he only ceased when the girl slapped his face. Leeds Crown Court sentenced Dillon to indefinite detention with a minimum term of four years. Additionally, he was ordered to be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Judge Ian Dobkin emphasized the betrayal of trust, stating, “You made yourself someone to be trusted and that trust was abused,” as he handed down the sentence.

John Dillon’s case continues to draw attention to issues surrounding the management and rehabilitation of sex offenders within the UK justice system, highlighting the ongoing debate over public safety and the rights of offenders.