Setback for victim as abuser can try again for early release

Thursday 31st March 2011, 2:29PM BST.

Eugene Hughes on his way to court in 2008 where he was sentenced to six-and-a-half years for eight counts of indecent assault on children. PAEDOPHILE Eugene Hughes will be under the strictest supervision when released from prison, the Home Department has assured one of his victims.

Outraged that former judo instructor Hughes (pictured) was already eligible to apply for parole, the 35-year-old woman has raised serious concerns over the risk the serial offender might pose on release.

A Home Department spokesman could not comment on individual cases, but said there were strict criteria for parole and any sex offender on parole or release was subject to stringent monitoring.

‘I’d started to make big steps forward but news that he applied for parole last year, and can do again this year, has set me right back psychologically,’ said the woman.