Sex attacker denied parole after deemed a risk- but only has two years left

A Sex offender who violently sexually abused two women has been denied parole after being deemed a continued risk. However, he only has two years or so left on his sentence.

Paul Ashton, now 30, was jailed for nine years in 2016 after he sexually attacked two women in his own home.

The parole board have decided there is a continuing likeliness he will reoffend if released.

A hearing last month was told how he was “thinking about sex a lot” had “attitudes supportive of violence” and “difficulties dealing with strong emotions”. He was also said to have “not followed prison rules, had behaved inappropriately towards staff”.

A spokesman for the Parole Board said: “We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board refused the release of Paul Ashton following a paper review. 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.

“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.

Ashton was high on drugs when he subjected his two victims to degrading and humiliating attacks in front of each other while robbing them. He also attacked a man who was in the house.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the then 24-year-old armed himself with knives from the kitchen before forcing all three victims to sit on a sofa where he attacked them.

Ashton, then of Thursby Gardens in Low Fell, punched the victims in the head and face and threatened to stab them. The court heard Ashton then forced the women to remove their lower clothing before carrying out the “prolonged” sex attacks.

In 2018, his sentence was extended six months after he indecently exposed himself to a female member of prison staff from his cell.

In September 2021, Ashton was released on licence. However, he was recalled to prison in just a month after taking drugs. This is the second time he has been denied parole since his recall.

However, despite showing no redemption or rehabilitation whatsoever, Ashton’s sentence will be completed by 2026 and he will be allowed to walk free.

It remains to be seen how the justice system will manage such a scenario.