PATRICK HASSETT: ERDINGTON CHILD KILLER STILL A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC DESPITE DECADES IN JAIL

In May 2017, concerns persisted regarding Patrick Hassett, a notorious sex offender from Erdington, who remains a significant threat to public safety despite serving decades behind bars. Hassett, now 58 years old, was convicted of the heinous murder of 13-year-old Candice Williams, a tragic case that shocked the local community and drew national attention.

Hassett's criminal history dates back to 1978 when he met Candice on the street in Erdington. He lured her to an apartment within a tower block in the area, where he subjected her to a brutal sexual assault before strangling her with her own shoelaces. The crime was particularly shocking due to the young age of the victim and the brutality involved. It was only through the advancements in DNA technology that authorities were able to link Hassett to the crime, leading to his eventual arrest and conviction in 1992.

He was sentenced to a minimum term of 17 years, but despite serving this time, Hassett remains incarcerated to this day. He is classified as a high-category prisoner, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses. His continued detention underscores the concerns of experts and authorities about his potential threat to society.

In recent years, Hassett sought to be transferred to less secure prison conditions, aiming for an easier environment that would facilitate his rehabilitation or at least reduce his restrictions. His legal team petitioned the High Court and later the Court of Appeal earlier this year after his initial application was denied. However, on Thursday, May 4, a panel of three senior appeal judges in London dismissed his case definitively.

Lord Justice Sales, delivering the judgment, stated that the Ministry of Justice's decision to refuse Hassett's request for re-categorization without an oral hearing was justified. The judges, including Lady Justice Black and Lord Justice Moylan, concurred that there was no breach of fairness in the process. The court emphasized that Hassett had been in prison since 1984 for other sexual offenses, even though his conviction for the murder of Candice Williams was only finalized in 1992.

Despite his long incarceration, experts have consistently assessed Hassett as a high risk of sexual reoffending. A prison psychologist noted that he has shown little evidence of learning or change during his time in prison and continues to deny his involvement in the rape and murder of Candice. His ongoing denial and lack of remorse contribute to the concerns about his potential danger.

Hassett's legal representatives argued that he should have been granted a re-categorization hearing before the prison categories board, claiming the refusal without an oral hearing was unfair. However, psychologist Rhys Matthews, who provided a report on Hassett's progress, offered a more optimistic view but still expressed concerns about his inability to accept his status as a sex offender. The judges highlighted that Matthews' report, despite its positive aspects, indicated that Hassett would likely pose a risk if he were to escape or be released.

The court's decision reaffirmed that keeping Hassett in Category A conditions was lawful, based on the evidence and expert assessments. All three judges agreed to dismiss his appeal, reinforcing the stance that he remains a significant danger to the public, especially in light of his history and ongoing denial of his crimes.