Katie Piper’s ex-boyfriend loses his bid for freedom: Vile thug behind Loose Women star’s acid attack ‘is not ready to be released’ from prison

The rapist who carried out the horrific acid attack on TV star and model Katie Piper has lost his bid for freedom.

Daniel Lynch, now 50, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009 for rape and planning the sickening attack, which left the then 24-year-old with devastating burns and blindness in one eye.

He commissioned young Stefan Sylvestre, then 19, to throw sulfuric acid into his face as he walked down a street in Golders Green, north London.

A judge at the time described his crime as “pure, calculated and deliberate evil.”

Lynch was considered for parole for the first time this week after serving the minimum term of his life sentence.

The prospect of his release was said to have terrified mother-of-two and Loose Women star Katie, who needed hundreds of surgeries following the attack.

However, in a document published today by the Parole Board, it was stated that Lynch should not be released.

He said he wasn’t ready to return to the community either.

The document said: ‘The panel considered a large dossier of written evidence and took oral evidence over two full days.

‘Mr Lynch was reportedly involved in a horrific attack using life-threatening sulfuric acid against the victim.

Lynch (pictured), now 50, was jailed for life in 2009 for masterminding the sickening attack which left the then 24-year-old model and presenter with devastating burns and blindness in one eye.

‘The panel regarded his actions as clearly an act of revenge.’

The horrific attack left Katie needing hundreds of surgeries after she suffered severe burns and life-changing injuries.

She has featured in documentaries about her recovery, including the groundbreaking film ‘Katie: My Beautiful Face’ in 2009, and competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018.

Katie said in 2023: ‘I’m 40 this year. Will I die in the next 10 years?

‘Actually I don’t know. Those who attacked me will be released. Will they kill me? I am not sure.’

The document from the parole board continued: ‘The panel noted that Mr Lynch had spent just over 18 years in prison and had undertaken some work to address risk factors, but there remained a need for him to complete further work.

The panel concluded that Mr. Lynch did not yet have the necessary controls to manage his emotions and direct his thinking skills in relationships.

‘Mr Lynch accepted that he was not yet ready to be released. After considering the circumstances of his offense, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public.

‘Finding that further crime-focused work was needed, the panel did not recommend to the Secretary of State that Mr Lynch should be transferred to an open prison.

‘He will be eligible for another parole review in due course.’

They added: ‘In its assessment of the case, the panel found that Mr Lynch had not yet completed the work of addressing the use of sexual violence and issues around relationships and consent.’

Lynch was found guilty of rape and inflicting grievous bodily harm at Wood Green Crown Court in March 2009 and admitted inflicting actual bodily harm.

Sylvester was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of six years for causing grievous bodily harm. It is believed that the person, who was released on license in 2018, lived abroad after escaping.

Lynch was said to have become obsessively jealous of Piper after briefly dating her before the attack.

Judge Nicholas Browne KC told him and Sylvestre they had “planned and carried out pure, calculated and deliberate evil”.

Lynch admitted his crimes when he was first interviewed by Probation chiefs.

He told the panel he subjected the victim to a ‘horrible ordeal’ and assaulted and raped her.

Later in the hearing, the panel noted that Lynch attempted to distance himself from his confessions.

The case was evaluated at an oral hearing held via video link over two days this month.

Mr Lynch, through his legal representative, stated that he had hoped to be transferred to free conditions following a review by the Parole Board, but this was also rejected.

In making its decision, the Board considered the contents of Mr Lynch’s dossier prepared by the Secretary of State.

The panel used the victim’s personal statement, which clearly stated the impact of his crimes and the consequences of his crime.

The contents were carefully evaluated by the panel.

The report added: ‘At the time of his offending, these risk factors included drug and alcohol use, difficulties managing extreme emotions and poor coping skills.

‘The panel noted poor decision-making, a lack of victim empathy and Mr Lynch’s insensitivity in dealings.

‘Mr Lynch had a tendency to ruminate, a sense of entitlement and a fear of humiliation if he was the loser in any conflict.

‘He was prepared to use violence, including sexual violence, as a means of control.

‘In this case, protective factors that would reduce the risk of re-offending were considered to be the family support that Mr Lynch had and his strong desire to improve himself and establish a social network.

‘Evidence was given at the hearing regarding Mr Lynch’s progress during this sentence and his conduct in custody.

‘He had undertaken accredited programs addressing the decision-making process and the use of violence.

In 2018 he switched to a specialist regime designed to help people recognize and cope with a wide range of problems.

‘After 20 months he was removed from the regime for bad behavior and the managers of the intervention believed he would benefit from further work.

‘Mr Lynch subsequently attended an accredited program to address his behavior in relationships.

‘He also engaged in individualized work in custody and worked hard to gain a number of qualifications.

‘Mr Lynch had completed work on victim awareness, conflict resolution and anger management.’