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’.
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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.