KEITH WILLIAMS FROM SWADLINCOTE AND DONCASTER REPEATEDLY RAPES CHILD AND IS RELEASED FROM PRISON

In a series of disturbing developments spanning over a decade, Keith Williams, a convicted child rapist from Swadlincote and Doncaster, has once again become the focus of public concern and outrage. His criminal history is extensive, and his recent release from prison has ignited fears among victims and community members alike.

Williams, now 56 years old, was initially sentenced in 1999 to five life sentences after being convicted of multiple charges of rape and indecent assault against a young girl. The assaults occurred between December 1979 and December 1985, primarily in pubs operated by his parents in Hartshorne and Church Gresley. The victim, who was between the ages of eight and 14 at the time, endured repeated abuse, including being raped on a pool table at age 11, and assaulted with various objects such as a knife, a pool cue, and a bottle. Her ordeal only came to light in 1994 when she courageously disclosed her experiences.

Despite the severity of his crimes, Williams was granted parole in May 2014 after serving approximately 15 years of his sentence. His release was met with condemnation from his victim, Jo, who has suffered immensely from his abuse. She described Williams as a 'monster,' emphasizing that he is not just a paedophile but a violent and evil individual. Jo expressed her fears that Williams would re-offend, especially given that he had managed to send her threatening messages from prison, including statements like 'This isn’t over.' The Ministry of Justice assured the public that a 'robust risk management plan' would be implemented, including an exclusion zone of about 20 miles around her residence. Nevertheless, Jo voiced her frustration, stating, 'You are not talking about a law-abiding citizen, you are talking about a monster who lives by his own rules and believes in his own lies.' She warned that those responsible for his release would bear the responsibility if he re-offends.

Williams’s criminal record also includes an earlier conviction from 1976, when he was 23, for abducting a 14-year-old girl at knifepoint. Despite this, he received only a fine, a decision that many believe failed to adequately protect the public, especially children. His return to Swadlincote in 1996, where he set up a new pub, further traumatized Jo, leading her to develop severe mental health issues, including heavy drinking, suicidal thoughts, and a breakdown. She eventually sought help from social services and police, but her fears of Williams’s power and influence kept her from fully cooperating until she finally provided a detailed statement in 1999.

Following her testimony, Williams was convicted on June 3, 1999, of five counts of rape and one of indecent assault, receiving six life sentences. The judge at the time compared him to notorious serial killers like Fred West, highlighting the gravity of his crimes. Despite this, Williams’s control persisted even from prison, as he continued to send threatening cards and make phone calls to Jo, including messages like 'See you soon.' Her attempts to seek protection and justice were met with indifference by authorities, who failed to act on her complaints.

In recent years, Williams’s parole eligibility has been a contentious issue. In December 2013, a victim expressed her despair after learning that Williams’s parole application was being considered, despite her efforts to keep him incarcerated. She described the decision as a 'twisted victory,' noting that while she was relieved he was back behind bars temporarily, she feared he would be released again soon. Her personal impact statement detailed the profound and lasting damage his abuse inflicted on her life, including mental health struggles and ongoing fear.

Williams’s parole hearings have been marred by procedural errors, notably in 2014, when a victim impact statement was not properly presented, leading to a repeated hearing. Ultimately, in May 2014, he was granted parole and released, with an exclusion zone in place. However, victims like Jo and others remain deeply skeptical of the system’s ability to prevent further harm. Jo has publicly criticized the authorities for their lack of communication and support, feeling abandoned and victimized anew by the very system meant to protect her.

Most recently, in August 2015, Williams was staying at the Town Moor bail hostel in Doncaster, raising further alarm among community members and victims. His release has prompted renewed calls for stricter safeguards and greater consideration of victims’ rights. The parole board’s decision was based on reports from probation, prison, and medical staff, as well as the victims’ impact statements. Despite the legal stipulation that Williams will remain on license for life, concerns persist about his potential to re-offend and the adequacy of current measures to keep the public safe.

As the community grapples with the implications of Williams’s release, victims continue to demand justice and accountability. The case underscores the ongoing debate about how the justice system balances rehabilitation, public safety, and victims’ rights, especially in cases involving repeat offenders with a history of heinous crimes.