Ian Huntley is an example of a man who showed a propensity for sexual violence without actually having been convicted of a serious offence.
Had he been convicted, he would have been kept under close supervision. But, instead, he was approved to work as a school caretaker and murdered Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in August 2002.
Police were aware that he had had a number of sexual relationships with underage girls and that he was the subject of nine allegations of rape and indecent assault. He had been officially identified as a serial sex attacker.
The Bichard inquiry’s report into the schoolgirls’ murders strongly criticised police in Cambridgeshire and Humberside. It found that they had failed to share evidence and that they had deleted vital files that highlighted the risks posed by Huntley.
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Huntley’s history showed a deeply troubled man. He had a history of violence against women, such as his former wife, Claire Evans, and his former girlfriend, Maxine Carr.
He had been the subject of psychological or physical abuse, having been the victim of bullying at school, and lacked empathy.
In 1993, his parents separated and his mother became involved with a female security guard. Weeks after he married, his bride left him for his brother. Former friends have said that he strangled a puppy.
Huntley’s landlord described him as smooth and charming. However, he was said to have been possessive and controlling of his former wife and Carr.
As the police hunt for Holly and Jessica gripped the country, he granted interviews to the media.
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THEY ALL SLIPPED OFF THE RADAR
Richard Baker
DJ, convicted of 12 counts of rape and assault.
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History of violence towards women
Experts said that Baker was obsessed with dominating women and had an exaggerated sex drive. Aged 19 or 20, Baker was accused of attacking a young woman at a fairground in Cornwall but the case never reached court. In the 1990s he paid two prostitutes not to give evidence against him over alleged violent assaults.
Lack of empathy
After his arrest, his mother, Linda, said: “If Richard had 20 girls a day it wouldn’t be enough. He doesn’t really enjoy sex; it’s really like a drug to him, as if he’s feeding off the woman.” He appeared to enjoy being interrogated by police in 1998 over allegations that had he raped a 17-year-old Swede.
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Victim of psychological or physical abuse N/A
Cruelty to animals N/A
Charming, manipulative
Police officers said that Baker, a good-looking man who could speak foreign languages, had no trouble attracting women.
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Antoni Imiela
M25 rapist
History of violence towards women
Imiela regularly beat up his former partner, Allyson Pletts, and boasted about hitting prostitutes. Groped one of his neighbours.
Lack of empathy
Imiela took his wife, Christine, on romantic weekends away, while raping women across the Home Counties.
Victim of psychological or physical abuse
Raised by strict and violent father who would shave his head and threaten to burn out his eyes with a cigarette lighter. Imiela said that he was bullied at school over his German ancestry. His mother left the family when he was 8.
Cruelty to animals
According to schoolfriends, Imiela used lighter fuel to set stray cats and dogs on fire.
Charming, manipulative
His wife still visits him regularly in prison.
Luke Mitchell
Killed Jodi Jones in 2003, when he was 14.
History of violence towards women
Held a knife to the throat of his previous girlfriend, Cara Van Nuil, months before he killed Jodi.
Lack of empathy
Police said he appeared to enjoy sparring with detectives.
Victim of psychological or physical abuse
Suspicions arose over his particularly close relationship with his mother. Stored bottles of urine under his bed.
Cruelty to animals
Mitchell kicked to death a lamb four years before he killed and mutilated his 14-year-old girlfriend.
Charming, manipulative
Sexually precocious and popular with girls. On the day of Jodi’s funeral, he staged an interview with Sky, as his mother stroked his hair, and allowed himself to be photographed laying wreaths and poems at her graveside.