A convicted murderer was found guilty yesterday of raping a woman seven months after being released from prison on parole.
Mark Shirley had twice been recalled to jail for breaking the terms of his release after serving 16 years of a life sentence for murder.
He was one of 48 convicted violent or sex criminals charged with a further offence of murder, rape or another serious offence while under the supervision of the Probation Service in the past year.
Shirley, 39, assaulted the woman, a mother of five, at knifepoint in her home for three and a half hours in an attempt to re-enact a ritualistic murder he committed 22 years ago.
The jury of six men and six women at Bristol Crown Court found Shirley guilty of false imprisonment, rape, three counts of assault and committing false imprisonment with the intention of committing a sexual offence.
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Shirley shook uncontrollably and his victim, sitting in the public gallery, wept as the verdicts were read out in court.
Mr Justice John Royce said that he considered Shirley to be a very dangerous man and wanted a full report before sentencing him on December 15.
Shirley was convicted of murdering 67-year-old Mary Wainwright in Cardiff when he was 16.
He denied the murder but was found guilty at Cardiff Crown Court and given a life sentence. He was told he must serve a minimum of 12 years before he could be considered for release on parole.
After 16 years in jail he was released on parole in December 2003 but recalled to prison in June 2004 because of concern over his excessive drinking.
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The Parole Board ordered his release again in October 2004 but he was recalled to prison in June 2007 after being convicted of drink-driving offences. The Board agreed his release in August last year and seven months later he attacked the woman.
Giving evidence to the jury, the victim said that Shirley repeatedly alluded to his murder victim throughout her ordeal — but she had no idea what he was talking about.
She said: “He said he once knew a lady, a sweet lady and her name was Mary. He kept saying I was a trustable and sweet lady like her.”
Rosaleen Collins, for the prosecution, said that Shirley, who had a catalogue of youth offences, including burglary, to his name, was “re-enacting that which had taken place 22 years ago”.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “As with any case, a review has been carried out to see if any lessons can be learnt and it was found that overall the case had been managed to a sufficient standard across the key areas of assessment and management.”
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A Parole Board spokesman added: ”Mr Shirley’s case has been referred to the Parole Board Review Committee.”