Rapist to be banned from Sheffield upon release from prison

Benjamin Recio-Nugent, now aged 31, was jailed for 12 years in 2016 after subjecting his victim, known as Laura to protect her identity, to multiple rapes.

During the seven-hour ordeal, Laura had piping hot water poured over her and at one point had a sock stuffed into her mouth to stifle her screams.

Recio-Nugent, of Shirebrook Road, Meersbrook, was found guilty of rape, attempted rape, four counts of sexual assault by penetration and physical assault, after a trial.

But mid-way through his sentence, he is now eligible for early release on licence and is expected back on the streets over the next few weeks.

In response, Laura contacted the authorities to campaign for Recio-Nugent to be the subject of a city-wide exclusion zone to prevent her from potentially coming face to face with her attacker again.

In an offender management meeting this week, Laura was told that her application had been successful and the ban from Sheffield will run for around six years – until the rapist’s original 12-year sentence is served.

Her dad, who has launched a petition calling for rapists to be forced to serve their full sentences behind bars, said: “We have found out that in the event of Nugent being released he will be subject to a ‘whole of Sheffield’ exclusion zone, which is a massive relief but we are still fighting to stop the release on licence.

“I can’t imagine what it must be like for survivors that are on their own. I still have sleepless nights knowing that he could hurt another woman.”

More than 2,500 people have so far signed the petition, which is to be sent to the government.

Laura’s dad wants new rules recently introduced to prevent the early release of rapists from prison to also apply to those currently serving sentences.

When Recio-Nugent was jailed, DC Dave Grubb, who led the investigation, said: “I hope that today’s sentence will provide Laura with some sense of closure and enable her to continue to positively move on with her life while also encouraging other victims of sexual offences to come forward.”

To sign the petition visit the change.org website.