‘A really difficult time’: Katie Piper’s acid attacker is released on parole
Advocate, model and TV presenter Katie Piper has released an emotional statement following the news that the man who attacked her ten years ago is to be released on parole, after serving only nine years of a life sentence.
Katie, who is currently preparing to appear in Strictly Come Dancing, was victim to a horrific crime after her boyfriend ordered a man to throw acid at her as she was leaving her home in London. She was left permanently scared as a result of the life-altering attack.
Stefan Sylvestre was given a life sentence in 2009 – her then-boyfriend Daniel Lynch was also jailed for the attack as well as assaulting Piper – but is to be released after serving less than ten years of his sentence.
Katie took to Instagram to thank her fans, and well-wishers for their support, during what she says is "a really difficult time" as she adjusts to the devastating news.
"It was important to put my message out to my friends, supporters and followers. This is a really difficult time for me," she wrote. "I am trying to come to terms with this decision, and this is something I need to deal with."
As she is currently rehearsing for her appearance in Strictly, the 34-year-old said it was a welcome distraction, despite the news.
The Parole Board confirmed Sylvestre was being released after an oral hearing, adding that Piper also read statements in person to the panel.
“Decisions are solely focused on whether a prisoner would represent a significant risk to the public after release,” a spokesperson said.
“The panel will have carefully looked at a whole range of evidence, including details of the original evidence and any evidence of behaviour change.”
In her autobiography, Katie previously revealed her fears that her attacker could be released from prison early after he applied for parole – he was denied the first time this happened as he was still deemed a threat to society.
"The two of them had taken so much from me, and now this man’s punishment might soon be over. I thought, ‘I’m the one with the life sentence, not him. He can change his identity, change his name, get a new job, a partner, move on, but I can’t. I can’t pretend it didn’t happen because it’s all over my face.’"
Despite enduring such a traumatic event, Piper, also a mum-of-two, has become an incredible advocate, lending her support in numerous causes and even setting up the Katie Piper Foundation to aid other burn victims.
She is nothing short of inspirational. One year on from the attack she also starred in a documentary called ‘Katie: My Beautiful Face’, to document her journey and it received over 3.3 million viewers.
