A notorious serial rapist dubbed the ‘Battersea Beast’ is seeking parole again after facing two prior rejections over concerns of potential reoffending. Edward Bartley, aged 64, was imprisoned for a violent knife attack following an early release from a 20-year sentence for multiple assaults on women. Despite being approved by the Parole Board for transfer to an open prison in 2020 and again two years later, both decisions were vetoed by the Secretary of State for Justice.
One of Bartley’s victims, who was assaulted in 1989 when she was just 17, expressed dismay at his potential release, emphasizing the lasting trauma of the attack and the failure of the justice system to protect others. Another survivor highlighted the urgent need to prevent Bartley from inflicting further harm, citing strong evidence of his propensity for extreme violence against vulnerable women.
Bartley’s criminal history includes a spree of attacks on five lone women in Battersea in 1992, resulting in a 20-year sentence. Released in 2004, he reoffended by raping a 19-year-old in 2007, leading to a life sentence with a minimum term of 12 years. His prior convictions include numerous burglaries, assault, and robbery, reflecting a pattern of escalating violence.
The Parole Board has scheduled a parole review hearing for Bartley in November 2025, focusing on assessing the risk he poses to public safety if released. Concerns persist among victims and the public regarding the potential consequences of granting Bartley freedom, given his history of violent offenses.