A notorious rapist known as the ‘Battersea Beast’ is attempting to secure his release despite being blocked twice due to concerns about repeat offenses. Edward Bartley, aged 64, was imprisoned for a violent knife attack shortly after an early release from a 20-year sentence for multiple assaults on lone women. The Parole Board approved his transfer to an open prison in 2020 and again in 2022, but both decisions were vetoed by the Secretary of State for Justice.
One of Bartley’s victims, who was assaulted at 17 in 1989, expressed deep anguish over his potential release, highlighting the lasting trauma and the failure to keep him incarcerated. Another victim emphasized the need to prevent Bartley from reoffending, citing the high risk of him committing further heinous acts against vulnerable women.
Bartley’s criminal history dates back to 1992 when he terrorized five women in Battersea over three and a half years. Released in 2004, he went on to rape a 19-year-old in 2007, leading to a life sentence with a minimum term of 12 years. His past offenses include burglaries, assaults, and a robbery where he restrained an elderly victim.
A parole review hearing for Bartley is set for November 2025, focusing on assessing the risk he poses to the public if released and the manageability of that risk in society.
