Why would we let this guy in?

**Ja'chyra** · 06-15-2005, 12:58

Serial rapist gets 10 life terms

Petros Anthia has 21 previous convictions in Cyprus
A builder who admitted carrying out a year-long campaign of rapes and attacks on women in north London and Herts has been given 10 life sentences.
Petros Anthia, 35, of West Green Road, north London, lay in wait for victims before pouncing on them.

He initially denied 10 charges of rape, before changing his plea to guilty at St Albans Crown Court. He will serve a minimum of 25 years behind bars.

Anthia had already admitted causing actual bodily harm to three women.

After he changed his plea the court was told he had 21 previous convictions for burglary and assault in his native Cyprus and served a jail term.

The jury heard Anthia had attacked the women as they walked home along well-lit streets in Arnos Grove, Enfield, north London, and in St Albans, Hatfield, and Herts.

You are beyond reform ... You have caused incalculable harm to your victims and you have shown no remorse

Judge John Bevan QC

Jailing Anthia on Wednesday, Judge John Bevan QC said he had carried out a "systematic campaign of planning and executing attacks".

Judge Bevan told him: "You have bowed to the inevitable and finally admitted what you have done albeit after nine innocent victims were dragged through the court.

"They all thought that they were going to be killed and were all petrified.

"You are beyond reform or correction, you have a string of sex offences, some while wearing a mask.

"Although they have recovered physically, you have caused incalculable harm to your victims and you have shown no remorse."

'Satanic power'

Anthia was also jailed for four years for three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. All sentences are to run concurrently.

"You should be released from prison only when you are physically infirm," said Judge Bevan.

One sexual assault involved Anthia clambering into bed with the wife of a friend.

He told the terrified woman: "I am under the influence of higher satanic power. I believe there is witchcraft within me."

After his release from prison in Cyprus Anthia arrived in Britain in 1997/8 and started work as a self-employed builder.

Link

Why would we let someone like this into our country, I mean 21 previous convictions. I just hope he's never allowed out to harass another woman.

**Beirut** · 06-15-2005, 15:02

Death.

**Tribesman** · 06-15-2005, 21:47

Why would we let someone like this into our country, I mean 21 previous convictions.
Lack of sharing information between states .
Even if he was a registered sex offender in Cyprus(if they have such a list over there) is there any requirement for them to share that info with other states . It is a crazy situation that happens all to frequently with people leaving one jurisdiction and entering another .
There have been many cases over here of dangerous perverts entering the country and repeating their crimes as their original country has no obligation to forward the data .
Though many have been caught after the crime due to the countries sharing their DNA database on offenders after the offences (but its a bit late then isn't it) . In this case though sharing the DNA would have been futile as he was a meticulously clever evil bastard who went to great lengths to prevent any DNA evidence from existing at the scene (metal fragments was the link in the end I believe) .
Since Britain (in this case) cannot even manage to track these beasts if they move from one constabulary area to another (Ian Huntley being a prime example of the failings) then is there any hope of tracking them across international borders ?

Death.
Would that be a slow and painful death Beirut ?

**Blodrast** · 06-15-2005, 23:01

hmm, but does British law _require_ immigrants to bring proof of former convictions and former criminal records ?
If it does, then I can't understand how they could let him in unless he provided such proof...in which case the immigration officer who reviewed his file should be finally taught Braille.
Of course, it's always possible to fake documents...

**JAG** · 06-16-2005, 03:27

We wouldn't have let him in if we knew of his previous convictions - but we didn't. Simple as that. Very unfortunate, but you can't blame the govt or the authorities.

**Papewaio** · 06-16-2005, 04:08

Doesn't it count as falsifying records. Most countries for a long term visa require some sort of police record check. So surely lying on an immigration form is/should be grounds for him to be thrown out?

**Ja'chyra** · 06-16-2005, 08:12

Originally Posted by JAG

We wouldn't have let him in if we knew of his previous convictions - but we didn't. Simple as that. Very unfortunate, but you can't blame the govt or the authorities.

While I don't want to start another argument on the subject of immigration, there's been a few already

, shouldn't a police search be a part of any application to enter the country for a prolonged period of time, say more than 6 months?

I realise this would add time to the application process, but you could reasonably expect this search to be done in a week if liaison offices were set up in embassy's.

**TonkaToys** · 06-16-2005, 08:47

Originally Posted by Papewaio

Doesn't it count as falsifying records. Most countries for a long term visa require some sort of police record check. So surely lying on an immigration form is/should be grounds for him to be thrown out?

True... but it is closing the door after the horse has bolted in this case. There is no point throwing him out after he has committed the crime... it is better to punish (oops, I mean rehabilitate) him.

**Fragony** · 06-16-2005, 08:54

Awwww he is only as crazy as can be, and insanity is just a state of mind. With edaquate help he can once again become a great citizin, and we all deserve a second chance, or ten second chances if needed. I ask you, did someone ever love him? So yes take him in, embrace him, cuddle him, love him. If everything goes well he won't reoffend for at least a year, what more of a reward do you need?

**TonkaToys** · 06-16-2005, 08:58

Originally Posted by Fragony

Awwww he is only as crazy as can be, and insanity is just a state of mind. With edaquate help he can once again become a great citizin, and we all deserve a second chance, or ten second chances if needed. I ask you, did someone ever love him? So yes take him in, embrace him, cuddle him, love him. If everything goes well he won't reoffend for at least a year, what more of a reward do you need?

IMHO it is better that we (UK) take him into custody rather than just kicking him out of the country so he can go and repeat his crimes elsewhere.
Whaddayafink?

**Blodrast** · 06-16-2005, 19:41

Originally Posted by JAG

We wouldn't have let him in if we knew of his previous convictions - but we didn't. Simple as that. Very unfortunate, but you can't blame the govt or the authorities.

But Jag, you haven't answered my question at all (and I assure you it was neither rhetorical, nor sarcastic in any way; I am simply not familiar with British immigration laws). What I asked was whether he was not _required_ to provide some police record or anything like that. I didn't say that the authorities let him in knowing about his past, but if they didn't know, why was that the case ?
I'm asking because all of the few countries I needed visas for longer periods (which is like, hm, 3 of them) required police records (several times, some of them). And I find that perfectly normal...

**thrashaholic** · 06-17-2005, 07:53

I believe the chap got British citizenship by marrying a British Cypriot though, so I don't think there was anything anyone could do to have prevented him moving to this country.

It's all a bit unfortunate really.