Roy Whiting

The High Court reviewed Whiting's sentence and reduced the minimum term previously set by the Home Secretary by ten years. He must now serve at least forty years before he can even apply for parole.

Attribution

Directly implicated

In 2002, Home Secretary David Blunkett set the minimum period Whiting would have to serve before becoming eligible for parole at fifty years.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

50-year minimum term

Attribution

Directly implicated

After a trial lasting nearly four weeks at Lewes Crown Court, the jury unanimously found Whiting guilty of Sarah Payne's abduction and murder. His previous 1995 conviction, withheld from the jury during the trial, was disclosed after the verdicts.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Directly implicated

When sentencing him, the judge recommended that Whiting should never be released, given the nature of the murder and his previous sexual assault of a child.

Attribution

Directly implicated

Eight-year-old Sarah Payne disappeared on 1 July 2000 while playing near her grandparents' home in West Sussex. Her body was discovered sixteen days later. The investigation led to Roy Whiting, who had already been convicted of abducting and sexually assaulting a child.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Directly implicated

For the 1995 abduction and sexual assault, Whiting was sentenced to four years' imprisonment. He was released after approximately two years and five months. Assessments had identified a risk of reoffending, and reports of the 2001 trial indicated that he had refused treatment in custody.

State of the evidence

Documented

Roy Whiting abducted an eight-year-old girl in the Crawley area, took her to an isolated location and sexually assaulted her after threatening her. He confessed and pleaded guilty to abduction and indecent assault.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Directly implicated