A notorious serial rapist who instilled fear in communities across northern England has passed away while serving time in prison. Andrew Davies, also known as Andrew Barlow and Andrew Longmire, was sentenced to 13 life terms for his criminal acts.
During the 1980s, Barlow, hailing from Bolton and dubbed ‘The Coronation Street Rapist,’ carried out a series of assaults primarily in Greater Manchester and four other counties. He targeted lone women, often in their terraced homes, after waiting for husbands or fathers to leave in the morning.
Following 34 years in prison, Barlow was released in 2023 but was swiftly returned to custody six weeks later. Authorities deemed him unfit for the community due to breaching his release conditions and his behavior, leading to his reappearance in prison.
After contesting his recall in June 2024, Davies’ application was rejected by the parole board in July of the same year. The board assessed him as posing a very high risk of committing sexual offenses and causing severe harm to others.
Reports suggest that Davies, aged 69, passed away recently from natural causes. One of his victims, who was assaulted at knifepoint in her own bed in 1987, expressed mixed feelings of relief and distress upon hearing the news.
A spokesperson from the Prison Service condemned Davies’ actions as despicable, expressing sympathy for his victims. Davies was held at HMP Moorland, near Doncaster, a category C facility, at the time of his demise. An investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will follow, as is standard procedure for custodial deaths.
The potential release of Davies had stirred anger among victims and their families, with support from veteran MP Graham Stringer to keep him incarcerated. Concerns were raised about his danger to society, prompting a reevaluation by the Parole Board following objections from the Justice Minister at the time, Dominic Raab.
Reflecting on the turn of events, Mr. Stringer criticized the Parole Board for failing to prioritize public safety, highlighting the institutional shortcomings that allowed Davies’ recall. Family members of victims voiced their frustrations, emphasizing the need for accountability in the system.
Barlow’s criminal history dates back to 1988 when he received 11 life sentences for multiple rapes and additional years for other offenses. Subsequent convictions in 2010 and 2017 added to his sentence, as advancements in DNA technology linked him to earlier crimes.
Known for targeting women in their homes, particularly in Greater Manchester, Barlow evaded authorities during the 1980s before being captured. His violent resistance culminated in attempted murder charges against him for firing shots at police officers during his apprehension.
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