Bolton: Rapist Andrew Barlow set for release from prison

Andrew Barlow, 66, who lived in Bolton and Oldham at various times, became Britain’s most wanted man after a string of sickening sex attacks in the 1980s, many of which were committed against women and girls in their own homes.

He has been behind bars since 1988 but is set to walk free next month after a decision by the Parole Board.

A spokesperson for the board said: “We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Andrew Barlow following an oral hearing. 

“Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.”

Barlow, from Bolton, had been serving 13 life sentences for his crimes, committed between 1981 and 1988.

During that decade he was dubbed the "Coronation Street Rapist" after attacking several women in terraced houses reminiscent of the ITV soap’s setting.

Barlow, also known as Andrew Longmire, was convicted and jailed in October 1988 when he was aged 32 after his crimes made him the most wanted man in the country.

Barlow was sentenced again at Bolton Crown Court in 2017 (Image: Newsquest)

He was given his most recent life sentence while already in prison in 2017 when he pleaded guilty to raping a 15-year-old girl in her home in Great Lever in January 1982.

At a sentencing hearing in 2017, Bolton Crown Court heard how entered the girl’s bedroom in the morning and assaulted her at knife point.

This brought his total to 13 life sentences, but Barlow is still set to be a free man again next month provided he keeps to his license conditions.

These included staying at a designated address and comply with requirements to live there, to submit to advanced supervision and monitoring and keeping out of an inclusion zone to avoid contact with his victims.

He was also be restricted in his use of electronic technology and will have to work on addressing defined areas of risk in the community.

The Parole Board heard how his behaviour had been "good for many years" while in prison and had worked on educational and vocational qualifications.

They heard that he had also taken part in "accredited programmes" to address sex offending and concluded that a plan that but strict limitations on his contacts, movements and activites would be "robust" enough to manage Barlow in the community.

The Parole Board spokesperson explained that a range of factors are taken into account before prisoners are released.

They said: “A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.  

“Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.  

“Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing.  

“It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.  

“Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”