Possessive and controlling Daniel Lynch has completed his minimum 16-year term after arranging for sulphuric acid to be thrown in the face of the Loose Women star
The stalker who arranged for acid to be thrown in Katie Piper’s face is making his first bid for parole with a rare three-day hearing.
Daniel Lynch, 49, was jailed for life in 2009 for organising the act of “pure, calculated and deliberate evil”. But the violent and obsessive rapist is now due to be considered for release for the first time after completing his minimum 16-year term.
After a fourth delay lasting two years, a new hearing has been set for March next year. Katie’s victim impact statement is expected to be read at the hearing but it is not known if she will attend. Loose Women star Katie was just 24 in March 2008 when Lynch plotted the acid attack that left her face severely burned in March 2008.
Now 41 and a mum-of-two, she said two years ago that his release was on her mind. Katie said: “I’m 40 this year. Am I going to die in the next ten years? I don’t actually know. The people that attacked me will be released. Are they going to kill me? I’m not sure.”
In her victim impact statement read to the court, she said: “When the acid was thrown at me, it felt like I was burning in hell. It was an indescribable, unique, torturous pain. I have lost my future, my career, my spirit, my body, my looks, my dignity? the list goes on.
“All I am left with is an empty shell. A part of me has died that will never come back. This is worse than death.” But she has since rebuilt her life and featured on numerous TV shows, including a documentary in 2009 about the impact of the attack, and Strictly Come Dancing in 2018.
Katie needed 400 operations after the attack left her with horrific burns but has rebuilt her life. She has featured on TV shows including a documentary in 2009 about attack’s impact and competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2018.
Lynch was sentenced to life at London’s Wood Green crown court in March 2009 after being found guilty of rape and GBH, and admitting ABH.
Stefan Sylvestre, then 19, who threw the acid, was given a life sentence with a minimum of six years after he admitted GBH. He was released in 2018.
Judge Nicholas Browne QC said: “[The victim] had a face of pure beauty. You, Danny Lynch and Stefan Sylvestre, represent the face of pure evil.”
Lynch and Katie began a relationship in February 2008 but he was controlling and attacked her in a hotel. After she ended it, he bombarded her with calls and was on the phone when Sylvestre threw sulphuric acid in Katie’s face in a street in Golders Green, North London, in March 2008.
A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: “We can confirm the parole review of Daniel Lynch has been referred to the Parole Board by the Secretary of State for Justice and is following standard processes.
“Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.”
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