KEVIN BUNBY FROM HULL COULD BE BACK ON THE STREETS SOON, DESPITE HIS HORRIFIC CRIMES

 |  Red Rose Database

Hull Rapist
In a disturbing development that has left the community in Hull alarmed and outraged, Kevin Bunby, a convicted child rapist, is reportedly on the verge of being released from prison on parole, just six years after serving a 14-year sentence for his heinous crimes. The news has sparked intense concern among victims and residents alike, especially given the severity of his offenses and the fact that he was initially sentenced for a series of grave sexual crimes against a young girl.

Kevin Bunby, now aged 59, was convicted in 2008 at Hull Crown Court on 12 counts that included gross indecency, indecent assault, and child rape. His victim, who is his stepdaughter Gemma, waived her right to anonymity to speak out about her ordeal. She expressed her profound shock and anger upon learning that Bunby might soon be back in the community, emphasizing her fears about the potential danger he poses.

Gemma recounted her traumatic childhood, revealing that Bunby moved into her family home in Hull when she was just five years old. From the age of 11, she endured prolonged abuse at his hands, which escalated over time. She described how Bunby exerted control over her life, including picking her up from school in his car—despite the school being only a short distance from their home—and restricting her social interactions. Her attempts to escape his grasp, including a desperate overdose at age 14, were met with further cruelty when Bunby found her and made her physically ill.

Seeking to escape her tormentor, Gemma joined the Army at 17, hoping to find safety and independence. Despite her efforts, the abuse persisted into her twenties. It was only in 2008 that she summoned the courage to report Bunby to Humberside Police. Her decision led to his arrest seven weeks later, and subsequent trial, where she bravely took the stand to testify against him. Her testimony was instrumental in securing his conviction.

During the trial, Bunby denied all charges, claiming that his victim had seduced him. However, the jury found him guilty, and Judge Roger Thorn QC sentenced him to 10 years for rape and an additional four years for the other charges. The judge also ordered Bunby to register as a sex offender for life and prohibited him from having any contact with children, describing the case as “most appalling” and acknowledging the profound impact on the victim, stating, “This is a most appalling case. The child is entirely right in saying you have stolen her childhood.”

Following his imprisonment, Gemma reflected on her journey to rebuild her life. Now 33 and residing in West Hull, she shared her ongoing struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, night terrors, and the emotional scars left by her abuse. She expressed her gratitude for the support from Humberside Police, which she praised for their dedication and compassion, though she admitted that the threat of Bunby’s potential release continues to haunt her.

Recently, Gemma was contacted by the probation service, informing her that Bunby could be released on parole as early as this month. If his parole application is denied, he is expected to be released by July. This news has prompted her to consider writing to the government, protesting the decision to allow convicted sex offenders to return to the same communities where they committed their crimes. She voiced her concerns about safety, stating, “The court gives you compensation to set yourself back up and I got a home where I feel safe but now they’re letting him out, I’m unsafe again.”

Gemma emphasized her feelings of injustice, saying, “It can’t be right. You can rehabilitate someone who has been shoplifting but not for things like this. I haven’t been able to use his name for eight years. To me, he’s just ‘the monster’.” She concluded with a poignant remark about the lifelong impact of his crimes, asserting, “And I have to live with what he did for the rest of my life while he gets his sentence halved.”
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