A convicted rapist from the Isle of Wight, once branded an ‘extremely dangerous offender’ who poses a ‘very serious risk to women’, could be released to an open prison just 10 years into a life sentence.
Kevin Finch was jailed for life in 2017 after pleading guilty to 3 serious sexual offences, including the rape of an 18-year-old teenager in Niton.
At the time of sentencing, Portsmouth Crown Court heard how Finch carried out a violent and premeditated attack on the young woman after luring her with the false promise of work.
He drove the teen from Sandown High Street to a secluded location on Old Blackgang Road, punched her with such force it fractured her eye socket, then forced her into the back of his van where he raped her.
Finch also admitted to an indecent assault in Newport in 2003 and the sexual assault of a teenage girl in East Cowes in 2015, demonstrating a pattern of predatory behaviour spanning more than a decade.
Prosecutors previously warned that Finch, a former landscape gardener from East Cowes who traded under the name of Greenpaws Landscaping, is an ‘extremely dangerous offender’, having targeted victims through manipulation, deception and violence.
Despite the severity of his crimes, Finch was ordered to serve a minimum of just 10 years before becoming eligible for release. He was also added to the sex offenders register for life.
That minimum term is now approaching, taking into account time on remand.
Island Echo understands that Finch could potentially be moved to a Category D open prison – the lowest security level prison, designed for offenders trusted not to escape and deemed ‘low risk’
A Parole Board hearing this week reached a determination that Finch is eligible for a move to an open prison, but this is only a recommendation.
A final decision is yet to be made.
Why call it a life sentence when it hardly ever is. This piece of crap will reoffend and open prison means he can come and go as he pleases. The only people that get life sentences are the victims. Shame on the pathetic excuse of a parole board. I have previously worked with these sick individuals who commit these heinous crimes and there is no such thing as rehabilitation. Life should mean life
The muppets on the Parole board should be named and shamed and, maybe, they should house him when he’s released, if he’s so safe!
any judge or panel that release him should be held accountable for any crimes he commits afterwards and they should be jailed, if he does
Now, there’s food for thought. I think that the whole of the British sentencing needs to be overhauled and bought up to date. Prisons these days are just glorified hotels. All this business about only serving half your time, what a load of cobblers. I am a pensioner and I bet these maggots eat better than I do.
There are no open cat D prisons on the Isle of Wight. He will be transferred to the mainland. Most likely; HMP Hollesley Bay.
Think about the victims , they are still going through the trauma and will continue to suffer but this piece of scum will be able to be free to maybe commit an other crime ,these sort of ppl will commit rapes again and more ppl will suffer ,so think a life sentence should be life not ten yrs he shouldn’t be aloud out ever ,his victims should have a say whether he should be aloud out when is our justice system going to sort these ppl out once and for all
@DarrenToogood, what is the latest on this story?
What is the latest on this?