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Katie Piper’s acid attacker could be released from prison ‘within weeks’

Katie Piper had to have more than 40 operations after the attack: Getty Images
Katie Piper had to have more than 40 operations after the attack: Getty Images

Katie Piper’s acid attacker could be released from prison within weeks, just as she prepares to make her debut on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Stefan Sylvestre will be freed if a parole hearing decides he poses no further risks to society.

The 30-year-old was jailed in 2009 after throwing sulphuric acid at the former model on the orders of her obsessed ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch, 39, who is serving a minimum of 16 years for the crime.

Ms Piper, 34, was left partially blind and with severe, permanent scarring across her face and body following the attack in London in March 2008. She had to have more than 40 operations to treat the burning.

She created the Katie Piper Foundation following her experience as a patient but writing in her 2014 autobiography, the mum of two – who was announced as a Strictly contestant earlier this month – said: “I wish I’d been burned in a house fire or a car accident.

“At least a fire wouldn’t come after me again, at least a fire wouldn’t have a score to settle.”

She added: “I’m the one with the life sentence. Not him! The two of them had taken so much from me, and now this man’s punishment might soon be over.

“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.”

Sylvestre has tried to persuade prison bosses to cut short his sentence previously. He became eligible for parole in 2015 but his application was blocked after he was deemed unfit for release.

A Parole Board spokeswoman said on Friday: “We can confirm a panel of the Parole Board has considered the parole review for Stefan Sylvestre and expect to receive the decision in the coming weeks.

“We are unable to comment further on the individual details of this case.”