Sheffield grooming gang member Amanda Spencer could be released from jail after parole review next month

Amanda Spencer was jailed for 12 years in 2014, then aged 23, after being found guilty of 14 charges relating to the facilitation of child sexual abuse in Sheffield at the conclusion of a trial at Sheffield Crown Court.

Spencer, formerly of Canklow Road, Canklow, Rotherham, had her sentence extended by a further three years in 2017, following another trial at Sheffield Crown Court, after jurors found her guilty of another three offences concerning the facilitation of child abuse.

From the age of 13, Leona Whitworth was groomed by Spencer, as part of a group responsible for, and who finacially benefited from, arranging for Leona to be sexually abused in 2008 and 2009.

Courageous Leona, now aged 28, waived her right to anonymity earlier this month to speak out, and allege that a South Yorkshire Police officer, who was serving at the time, was among the men who paid to sexually abuse her.

Leona also described how she, and other survivors, were left ‘broken’ upon learning that Spencer had been released from prison in November 2021. Spencer was subsequently recalled to prison just three months later in February 2022.

Another parole review for Spencer is due to be held next month, in December 2022. After learning that Amanda was using a different name during her three months at liberty, Leona says she has been left feeling as though she and other survivors have been ‘forgotten about’, while the criminals responsible for her abuse are able to start again.

She said: “What about us, the people you’ve forgotten, the girls and the people who were hurt by her. What about us? How do you think we’re feeling?”

Commenting on how she felt after hearing Spencer had been released a year ago, Leona said: “I screamed. I sat on my kitchen floor and I screamed.”

She added: “I’ve had two breakdowns in the year [since she was first released]...that’s the sole reason, I was getting help, I was getting better.”

“I had started to get better...I was on track again, and then she came out of jail and I was off track again, and I’ve been broken ever since,” she added.

A spokesperson for The Parole Board for England and Wales said: "An oral hearing has been listed for the parole review of Amanda Spencer and is scheduled to take place in December 2022.

“Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

“Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing. Evidence from witnesses including probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements are then given at the hearing.

“The prisoner and witnesses are then questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”

* Charity, The Maggie Oliver Foundation aims to create a society where survivors and those at risk of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation are empowered to live fulfilled and successful lives, and where every survivor is treated with dignity, respect and as an equal and valued member of society.

To find out more, or to make a referral, please click here for those wanting to make a self-referral, or here for people hoping to make a referral for someone else.