Kidwelly sex-cult leader Colin Batley could move to open prison

Local TV

The leader of a sex-cult which preyed on children has been told by the parole board he could be moved to an open prison, raising concerns for victims. The board said he has completed mandatory rehabilitation work and his behaviour in prison has been ‘exemplary’.

Transcript

00:00The leader of a sex cult that preyed on children could soon be moved to an open prison following

00:06a recommendation by the parole board. Colin Batley, originally from London, was jailed

00:11in 2011 for a minimum of 11 years after being convicted of 35 charges. Acting as the self-styled

00:17high priest of a cult, he ran from an unassuming cul-de-sac in Kidwelly in West Wales. He was

00:22warned at sentencing that he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. At the time,

00:26the parole board noted that Batley had an obsession with sex and held child abuse supportive

00:31beliefs, showing a callous disregard for his victims. But now, in his third parole review,

00:36the panel heard that Batley had completed rehabilitation programmes and his behaviour

00:40in prison had been described as exemplary. While he agreed that his release would not

00:45be a good idea at this stage, he expressed a desire to transfer to an open prison to

00:49build on his skills.

00:52Open prisons have minimal security and allow some prisoners to spend time outside under

00:57strict conditions, for example, to work or study. The final decision now rests with Justice

01:02Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who will determine whether to approve the parole board's recommendation.

01:08In a statement, a parole board spokesperson acknowledged the seriousness of his crimes,

01:12saying the panel reflected on the gravity of the offences and the profound harm caused

01:17to victims. While Batley's full release was rejected, they said he had shown a commitment

01:22to addressing his risk to others and had completed all required programmes. As a result,

01:27they concluded he met the criteria to be moved to open conditions. If the transfer is approved,

01:33Batley would be monitored closely, but the decision has already sparked concern among

01:37those who remember the shocking crimes he committed more than a decade ago.

01:41James Peach Watkins, reporting for Local TV.

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