Sex abuse cult leader can be moved to open prison

A sex cult leader who brainwashed and abused children can be moved to an open prison, the Parole Board has said.

Colin Batley was jailed in 2011 after being found guilty of 35 offences relating to being a molester and rapist of children and young people for more than 30 years.

He was previously referred to the Parole Board in 2023, but his bid to be released from prison was denied.

The parole board decided on Thursday that Batley would not be released but it would recommend him to be moved to an open prison, but the final decision has to be made by the Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood.

Batley moved from London to Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, where the cult operated in a cul-de-sac, Clos yr Onnen.

Cult members, who all lived there, took part in a catalogue of abuse against children and young adults, with victims saying the group used occult writings and practices to "brainwash" them and justify their abuse.

Batley used his position as the cult leader to rape boys and girls and was found guilty of offences including 11 rapes, three indecent assaults, causing prostitution for personal gain, causing a child to have sex and inciting a child to have sex.

He was given a public protection sentence with an 11-year minimum recommendation.

Jacqueline Marling, 42, described as "Batley's right-hand woman", was jailed for 12 years, while Batley's wife Elaine, 47, was jailed for eight years.

Shelly Millar, 35, described during the trial as Batley's "sex slave", was jailed for five years.

Vincent Barden, 70, of Kempston, Bedfordshire, who was not a cult member, was jailed for three years after admitting two counts of sexual assault on an underage girl.

Batley had been rejected three times by the Parole Board previously but it said he had now shown "improved level of insight into his offending behaviour" and had undertaken accredited programmes to "address his sexual behaviour."

Batley agreed with the Parole Board "that release at this stage would not be a good idea" and wanted "to progress via an open prison".

An open prison has minimal security and allows eligible prisoners to spend most of their day away from the prison on licence to carry out work, education or for other resettlement purposes.

The panel was "not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public" but did feel that a placement in an open prison was acceptable after reflecting on the "gravity of the offences and the profound harm caused to victims".