Killer known as 'Clifton Rapist' refused parole

One of Britain's longest-serving prisoners, who has spent more than 50 years in jail, has been refused parole.

Ronald Evans, dubbed the "Clifton Rapist", raped and murdered Kathleen Heathcote in 1964 before committing numerous sexual attacks in Bristol in the late 70s.

The 83-year-old was released in 2018, but was jailed again in 2023 for four years after sexually assaulting a woman in London in 2022.

A panel at a Parole Board hearing on 12 December refused his release and refused to recommend a move to open prison, due to his risk of absconding.

At the age of 22, Evans was convicted of the sexually motivated murder of Ms Heathcote, a 21-year-old shop worker who went missing in Nottinghamshire.

He served 11 years of his life term before being released on licence in 1975 and moving to Bristol.

Between 1977 and 1979, seven women were sexually assaulted in the Clifton, Redland and Westbury Park areas of the city.

Avon and Somerset Police launched an undercover operation in January 1979 after mounting pressure from the public, which saw young female and male officers setting "honeytraps" for Evans.

In March that year, police officer Michelle Leonard was grabbed by a man who told her "Don't scream or I'll kill you".

Her assailant turned out to be Evans, who went on to admit five attacks. He was jailed for 39 years.

Released in 2018, he then went on to offend again in 2022. During his sentencing last year, the judge told him that "time has done nothing to change the fact you are a sexual predator".

The Secretary of State for Justice referred Evans' case to the Parole Board to determine whether he could now be released on licence.

The board concluded that Evans cannot be re-released until November 2025 at the earliest because of his most recent conviction.

It also said it was likely Evans would reoffend.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said its decisions were solely focused on the risk the prisoner could represent to the community and whether that risk was manageable.

"Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority," they added.

Evans' case will be eligible for reconsideration at a later date.

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