Edward Bartley could be back on the streets in months despite previously having his parole bids blocked over concerns the serial rapist, who targeted lone women, would strike again

A serial rapist who has been blocked twice from moving out of closed prison because of fears he will strike again has been cleared for a move to an open prison.

Edward Bartley , 65, was jailed for a terrifying knifepoint assault committed after he had been released early from a 20-year sentence for a campaign of terror against lone women. Bartley was cleared by the Parole Board for a move to open prison in 2020 and again two years later, but on both occasions the decision was blocked by the Secretary of State for Justice.

Now the Parole Board has ruled for a third time that he should be allowed to leave

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