HULL SERIAL RAPIST STEPHEN MELLORS SENTENCED TO INDEFINITE IMPRISONMENT

In a chilling case that has shocked the city of Hull, Stephen Mellors, aged 48, has been handed an indefinite prison sentence after a series of heinous crimes spanning over three decades. Mellors, a known offender from Denaby Court, off Holderness Road in east Hull, was convicted of multiple sexual assaults, including two recent rapes, which ultimately led to his prolonged incarceration.

His criminal history is extensive, with records indicating that he has attacked and raped schoolgirls and young women since 1981. Mellors' modus operandi typically involved befriending his victims before luring them into secluded areas where he would commit his assaults. Over the years, he has been responsible for four rapes and three indecent assaults on strangers, demonstrating a persistent pattern of predatory behavior.

His most recent attack occurred in Hull city centre on January 16 of this year. After leaving a venue called Propaganda, Mellors targeted a 24-year-old woman. He took her to an alleyway behind the Owner Hotel on Albion Street, where he subjected her to two separate rapes. During the assault, he shouted, “Whose the Daddy,” a disturbing detail that underscored his violent and aggressive demeanor. The victim managed to identify him after noticing his woollen hat, which was left behind at the scene, revealing dandruff that led to his identification.

Following the attack, the woman handed the hat to the police, and DNA evidence confirmed Mellors' involvement. His arrest and subsequent conviction culminated in a sentencing hearing at Hull Crown Court, where Judge Roger Thorn QC sentenced him to an indefinite term of imprisonment for public protection. The judge explicitly stated that Mellors may never be eligible for parole, emphasizing the severity of his crimes and the danger he poses to society. Mellors will not be eligible for parole for at least eight years.

It is noteworthy that Mellors had previously served time for a rape committed in August 1995, involving a Hull teenager. He was sentenced in 1997 but was released in 2005 after serving approximately eight years of his 14-year sentence. His release was facilitated by a legal change enacted in 2005, which allowed offenders to be released after serving half their sentences, rather than the two-thirds previously required. This legislative shift has come under scrutiny, with critics arguing that it compromises public safety.

Helen Moore, a representative from Hull Rape Crisis, expressed her dismay at the judicial system’s handling of Mellors’ case. She stated, “He is a predator and a very dangerous man. He was not going to stop. What he has done is horrific. I think the judicial system has let these women down. The sentence is great but it is somewhat belated. I think something needs to be done about this. These women went through trials to get him locked up so he couldn’t do it again and here they are, persistently releasing him.”

Retired Detective Chief Superintendent Geoff Ogden also voiced concerns, emphasizing the need for a review of the law. He remarked, “It is unfair for the victims and the public. The prisoners need to show a willingness to amend their ways to secure early release, not get it automatically. The Parole Board should have ultimate control over the decision to release prisoners; it should never be automatic. This man should not have been released because of a law that kicks in automatically.”

In conclusion, the case of Stephen Mellors highlights ongoing issues within the criminal justice system regarding the management and release of dangerous offenders. His latest conviction and the subsequent indefinite sentence serve as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous legal safeguards to protect the community from repeat offenders.