Gary Glitter victims says ‘he is still a danger to society’ as he is released after serving half of sentence

Victims of Gary Glitter have said they feel let down by the justice system after the serial paedophile was freed from prison halfway through a 16-year sentence for a string of ‘depraved and dreadful’ sex crimes against children.

Glitter was jailed in 2015 after being found guilty of the offence of having sex with a girl under 13, attempting to rape an eight-year-old and repeatedly molesting a 12-year-old between 1975 and 1980.

According to Telegraph, The 79-year-old was made left HMP The Verne – a low security category C jail in Portland, Dorset – on Friday morning after eight years behind bars and will now be subject to strict licensing conditions.

But one of his victims, who was raped as a 12-year-old, said that while Glitter was now free she had been left with a life sentence.

The woman, now in her 50s, said: ‘He should never have been let out of prison for what he did. He’s just done eight years but I’m doing a life sentence.

‘I can never forget what this monster did to me, and I’m still struggling to deal with it. I really believe that he is still a danger to society. Who knows what he could go on to do?

‘What he did to me has affected my whole family and it’s ruined my life. I feel as if I’ve been let down by the justice system and that I’ve been attacked by Glitter again.’

Another of Glitter’s victims, who is now seeking damages for her ordeal through the civil courts, said this was not the justice she had been promised.

The woman’s lawyer, Richard Scorer, of Slater and Gordon, said: ‘I’ve spoken to my client today and, like every victim of serious sexual assault facing early release of her abuser, today is an incredibly difficult day for her.

‘The abuse, including repeated rapes which our client suffered from the age of 12, have left her with a life sentence.

‘Paul Gadd, more commonly known as Gary Glitter, has never admitted his offences, has never apologised and has never shown any remorse. It is therefore particularly distressing and traumatic to read of him being released halfway through his sentence, albeit on licence.

‘Our client feels this was not the justice she was promised and the early release devalues her suffering and that of his other victims.

‘This is a very hard day for her, and we imagine for other victims too. Their feelings should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds at this time.’