Victims of Britain's longest-serving prisoner are calling for him to face a public parole hearing. Ronald Evans, 85, known as the Clifton Rapist, has served more than 60 years behind bars for the rape and murder of a 21-year-old woman in 1963, before being released twice and committing further sex attacks on eight more women.
Evans's history of offending
Evans was sentenced for killing Kathleen Heathcote in Mansfield in 1964, released in 1975, and then went on a two-year reign of terror in Bristol, attacking seven more women. He was released again in November 2018 after serving 57 years, before sexually assaulting another woman and being returned to prison in 2023.
His most recent victim, referred to as Tabitha, told the Mirror: "Twice, previous parole boards have been manipulated and hoodwinked by that monster and it must not happen again. I have put in my views directly to the parole people. In my opinion, it is an absolute necessity for a future hearing to be public. That monster must never be let out to destroy more lives."
Victim's account of the attack
The woman was attacked by Evans in July 2022 after meeting him at a community centre in North London. Evans groomed her, got her alone, and sexually assaulted her in his flat. She reported him to police the following month, but when Met Police officers checked the Police National Computer, Evans was not flagged as having previous convictions. She learned of his criminal history by chance after watching an ITV documentary about his offences. She said: "I was let down by everyone who was supposed to be working in jobs to protect me and keep me safe. I have lost all faith in the so called justice system."
Decoy operation and calls for transparency
Evans was Avon & Somerset Police's most wanted in the late 1970s after a series of sex attacks on women walking home. He was caught in 1979 after a team of female officers and men dressed as women acted as decoys at night. Retired officer Michelle Leonard, who was attacked by Evans during the operation, said: "I have already made my personal views known to the parole board via the Victims Liaison Office, although I am not a victim myself, as I volunteered to be attacked. I was young and keen to prove myself in those days! I think he should remain locked up. He's had his chance to behave and he obviously can't even now at his age... odious man."
Journalist Robert Murphy, author of the book 'Decoy' about Evans's capture, formally submitted the application for a public hearing. In the application, he argued Evans "is an offender of national significance, having offended across the 1960s, 1970s and 2020s," and that "the question of the prisoner's potential release is a matter of public importance due to concerns about reoffending and the risk posed to vulnerable women." He also noted that Evans "has reportedly demonstrated contempt for parole and release conditions" and "was reportedly known to have visited Bristol, the location of his 1970s offences."
During sentencing in 2023, a judge told Evans that "time has done nothing to change the fact you are a sexual predator." He was previously refused parole in December 2024.
