Telford child rapist wins appeal for jail term
Friday 1st April 2011, 11:29AM BST.
A former Telford man who was deemed so dangerous he was locked up indefinitely after raping a Shropshire girl will be walking the streets within years due to a Court of Appeal ruling.
Stuart William Knight, 49, now of William View Drive, Herne Bay, Kent, was thought to be such a threat that he should be jailed until he could prove he is no longer dangerous.
After admitting a string of child sex offences at Shrewsbury Crown Court, Knight was sentenced to indefinite imprisonment for public protection (IPP) last September.
But yesterday, appeal judges said the open-ended sentence was unlawful, as it could not be proved the more serious of his offences happened when such sentences were in force.
Confusion over the dates of Knight’s offences meant the court could not extend licence conditions to monitor Knight after release.
Mr Justice Mackay said it was “unsatisfactory” but the law meant the paedophile would have to get a conventional 12-and-a-half year term, of which he will serve only six years and three months in prison. He will be monitored on his release.
Knight was accused by his young victim of forcing her to perform a sex act and molesting her while he was living in Telford.
Another girl told of how he had also committed a sex offence against her.
Knight had initially denied any wrongdoing, but later admitted rape, sexual activity with a child and two counts of gross indecency with a child.
Allowing Knight’s appeal, Mr Justice Mackay, Lord Justice Elias and Mr Justice Hickinbottom said: “We are left with no alternative but to quash the sentence of imprisonment for public protection as having been unlawful.”
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