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ACID FIEND FREED

Katie Piper’s acid attacker set to be released from jail as parole board clears thug to be freed

KATIE Piper’s acid attacker is set to be released from jail.

Stefan Sylvestre, 31, left Katie scarred for life after hurling sulphuric acid in her face in 2008.

Stefan Sylvestre attacked Katie Piper with acid but a parole board has ruled he can go free again
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Stefan Sylvestre attacked Katie Piper with acid but a parole board has ruled he can go free againCredit: Press Association Images
Katie Piper was attacked in Golders Green, north London, in 2008
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Katie Piper was attacked in Golders Green, north London, in 2008Credit: Splash News

He was given a minimum six-year life term in 2009 after the attack in north London, on the orders of her obsessive ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch.

Sylvestre was initially released from Highpoint prison, Suffolk, in October 2018.

But he was sent back months later over a string of car thefts and making threats of violence.

He was then cleared of the allegations and a parole board panel has now ruled that he can go free again.

The board said: “After considering the circumstances of his offending and time on licence, the outcomes of the court proceedings, the progress made while in custody and other evidence, the panel was satisfied Mr Sylvestre was suitable for re-release.”

Katie was scarred for life after having sulphuric acid thrown in her face
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Katie was scarred for life after having sulphuric acid thrown in her faceCredit: Collect
The model had a total of 40 operations to treat her severe burns
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The model had a total of 40 operations to treat her severe burnsCredit: Instagram

Katie, 36, was left blind in one eye and suffered severe burns to most of her face after the attack.

She had numerous skin graft procedures and was forced to wear a plastic face mask for up to 23 hours a day.

In a victim statement at the time she said: “When the acid was thrown at me, it felt like I was burning in hell.

“It was an indescribable, unique, torturous pain.

“I have lost my future, my career, my spirit, my body, my looks, my dignity – the list goes on.

“All I am left with is an empty shell. A part of me has died that will never come back.

“This is worse than death.”

The former Strictly star has also said it hugely impacted her psychologically causing serious anxiety and depression.

She launched the Katie Piper Foundation to campaign for more specialist help for burns victims.

In 2008 Katie started dating David Lynch but two weeks in she started having doubts.

He later tricked her into leaving her flat where his accomplice Sylvestre threw acid in her face.

She was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment and was put in an induced coma for 12 days.

Sylvestre was sentenced to a minimum six-year life term while Lynch was subsequently given two life terms.

Lynch, 44, cannot be considered for release until 2025.

Almost 50 acid attack crimes take place in England and Wales every week.

Only 100 chemical attacks were recorded between 2007 and 2011 but there were 2,602 from 2015 to 2018.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

These include actual assaults plus the ­corrosive chemical’s involvement in threats, blackmail, incidents in schools and even rape.

Katie Piper's ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch landed two life terms for ordering the acid attack
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Katie Piper's ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch landed two life terms for ordering the acid attackCredit: PA:Press Association
Katie Piper appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 with pro Gorka Marquez
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Katie Piper appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 with pro Gorka Marquez
She launched the Katie Piper Foundation to help other burn victims
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She launched the Katie Piper Foundation to help other burn victimsCredit: Getty Images
Katie Piper watches TV in bed with daughter Penelope

 

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