Minister apologises to Rotherham grooming survivor after abuser's prison move
Her MP brought it up in Parliament
A minister has apologised to a survivor of "brutal abuse'' who was not told her attacker had been downgraded to an open prison.
In the Commons, Rotherham MP Sarah Champion raised the case of "Elizabeth'' who was subjected to abuse by a grooming gang in her constituency for a decade.
MPs heard that two and a half years after securing convictions, "Elizabeth'' discovered that an individual sentenced to nine years for two counts of child rape was being moved.
Justice minister Lucy Frazer apologised to Ms Champion's constituent for not having contacted her before the referral of the individual to open conditions.
Ms Champion told MPs: "I ask this question on behalf of my constituent, who I will call Elizabeth. For a decade, she was subject to brutal abuse by a grooming gang in Rotherham.
"Because of her tenacity, she managed to secure convictions - one for an individual for nine years for two counts of child rape against her.
"After two and a half years, she discovered that he had been downgraded to an open prison.
"Neither Elizabeth nor the police were consulted about this or notified as part of the risk assessment process, so one wonders if it's just prison conduct that contributes to risk assessments.
"More concerning, he is potentially up for weekend release but that's not going to happen because of Covid.
"So in Elizabeth's own words, how effective does (Ms Frazer) think the release on temporary leave system actually is? And I would appreciate a direct answer minister.''
Ms Frazer responded: "Well, I'm very grateful for (Ms Champion) raising this very important and tragic case and I know she's written to me about it and I hope she's had the content of my letter back.
"I know that the service have already apologised to her constituent and I apologise on their behalf as well for not contacting her before the referral to open conditions.
"The victim liaison officer has made the offender manager aware of conditions that should be imposed on any release for temporary licence and so those will be taken into account should there be any ROTL (Release on temporary licence) granted.
"But I'm very happy to continue to discuss this case with (Ms Champion) at any opportune moment.''