Child Rapist Brian Green Could Get Early Release Despite Fleeing Country

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, July 25, 2026

Brian Green, a convicted sex offender who fled the UK and is believed to be hiding in Thailand, could qualify for early release under a proposed prison overcrowding scheme despite not having served any time. This possibility has sparked public outrage and victim distress, prompting officials to consider safeguards or exclusions to prevent dangerous offenders from benefiting while addressing prison capacity issues.

A convicted sex offender currently believed to be hiding overseas could be eligible for early release under a proposed scheme intended to reduce prison overcrowding, despite not yet serving any time behind bars. Brian Green, 76, was sentenced in absentia to 22 years in prison in 2024 after being found guilty of multiple rape charges at Leeds Crown Court. He fled the United Kingdom after being granted bail before his trial and is thought to be residing in Thailand.

Green was convicted of sexually abusing his victim repeatedly over a four-year period beginning when she was nine years old. The victim, who had campaigned for years to see him brought to justice, has expressed dismay at the news that Green may qualify for early release if apprehended, describing it as “not justice.”

Current sentencing guidelines for serious sexual offenders require serving two-thirds of the prison term before eligibility for release. However, under recent amendments proposed in the Sentencing Act, the minimum period served could be reduced to half the sentence. The government under Prime Minister Andy Burnham had planned to implement this early release scheme in September but temporarily paused the rollout following public and political backlash. The pause followed outrage over potentially releasing dangerous offenders, including two individuals convicted of killing a police officer.

Officials are considering safeguards, such as granting probation and prison staff greater authority to veto early releases, or excluding certain categories of offenders, like rapists and murderers, from the scheme altogether. Nonetheless, officials have expressed concerns that excluding such offenders might undermine efforts to alleviate prison overcrowding.

The victim of Green’s crimes was recently contacted by liaison officers who informed her of developments related to Green’s case. She was initially led to believe he had been recaptured but was later told that if apprehended, he might be released before serving the full sentence. The prospect has provoked significant distress, highlighting ongoing debates about balancing public safety, justice for victims, and effective prison management.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.