'High priest' of cul-de-sac sex cult who had sinister three-woman coven and treated child victims as 'sexual playthings' should be moved to open prison, Parole Board says
A sex cult leader who preyed on children and treated them as 'sexual playthings' could be moved to an open prison in a recommendation by the Parole Board.
Colin Batley was jailed for a minimum of 11 years after he operated as the self-styled high priest of the cult which he ran from a series of quiet homes in a cul-de-sac in Kidwelly, west Wales.
The then 48-year-old was convicted of 35 charges in 2011, including 11 rapes, three indecent assaults, and was warned his offences were so serious that the monster could die in jail.
Jacqueline Marling, then 42, described as Batley's 'right-hand woman', was jailed for 12 years, while Batley's wife Elaine was jailed for eight years, while Shelly Millar, 35, described during the trial as Batley's 'sex slave', was jailed for five years.
Vincent Barden, then 70, who was not a cult member, was jailed for three years after admitting two counts of sexual assault on an underage girl.
The Parole Board noted at the time of his offending he had an obsession with sex and 'child abuse supportive beliefs' and showed a 'callous disregard' for the feelings of victims.
But in the third review of his eligibility for parole on March 7, the panel heard of Batley's work to address his sexual offending and that his behaviour in prison was 'exemplary'.
Batley agreed his release 'would not be a good idea' at this stage but that he wanted to build on his skills in an open prison.
Colin Batley, then 48, was given an indeterminate sentence with a minimum 11-year tariff in 2011 after being found guilty of 35 offences, including multiple rapes
Jacqueline Marling, then 42, described as Batley's 'right-hand woman', was jailed for 12 years
Batley's wife Elaine (left) was jailed for eight years, while Shelly Millar (right), 35, described during the trial as Batley's 'sex slave', was jailed for five years.
Open prisons have minimal security and allow eligible prisoners to spend most of their day out of prison on licence, for example to carry out work or education.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood will make the final decision whether to accept the Parole Board's recommendation for open conditions.
In a decision summary, a Parole Board spokesperson said: 'The panel reflected on the gravity of the index offences and the profound harm caused to victims.
'Mr Batley had shown a commitment in prison to address his risk to others and had completed all recommended work.
'After considering the progress made and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public.
'However, on considering the criteria for recommending placement in open conditions, the panel recommended that Mr Batley should be progressed in this way.'
Batley's wife Elaine was freed in 2014 after less than four years or half her sentence, while Marling was released in 2017 after serving just six years.
Millar was also released in 2014 after three years in jail, whilst Barden was freed in 2012, just over a year into his three year sentence. It is not known if he is still alive.
The Eye of the Horus tattoo, similar to the one Colin Batley and his co-defendants have and indicated cult membership
Vincent Barden, who was not a cult member, was jailed for three years after admitting two counts of sexual assault on an underage girl
The case caused shockwaves across the UK when the sordid details emerged with Batley - a former security guard at Tesco - being revealed as a monster practising in plain sight.
At a five-week trial, the court was told Batley ran a 'Satanic' sex cult from his home in Kidwelly, inspired by the works of occultist Aleister Crowley.
The court heard that Batley moved from London to Kidwelly in the 1990s, where the cult operated from a series of homes in a cul-de-sac. The sex abuse was said to have already been taking place.
He set up what was described in court as a 'black magic sex cult', of which he was the self-appointed 'high priest'.
The jury heard Batley psychologically terrorised and coerced vulnerable children into performing sexual acts, by using death threats and brainwashing.
He conducted occult ceremonies and indicated cult membership with an ancient 'Egyptian eye' tattoo of Horus, a hawk-headed god on their arms.
Batley forced a number of his victims into prostitution and claimed 25% of their earnings.
In one instance, the trial heard, Batley tried to force a pregnant schoolgirl to give birth. The girl, who had been raped by a cult member, was told that all children conceived within the cult belonged to it.
The town of Kidwelly in Wales where Batley ran the sex cult from a cul-de-sac
The Clos Yr Onnen cul-de-sac where Batley and his fellow perpetrators lived
New cult members, often deeply troubled children, were forced to go through an elaborate initiation ceremony. At its heart would be sex with an adult, with anyone unwilling to take part warned they risked being killed by a cult assassin.
A victim explained after the verdict: 'Colin knew how to manipulate you, to make you believe anything he said.'
Judge Thomas detailed how Batley darkened Kidwelly when he moved to the seaside town. He said: 'What happened thereafter has besmirched the unsuspecting town of Kidwelly.'
He added: 'You formed a community within a community, you were described as evil. That, in my view, is an entirely accurate statement of your character.
'It is likely that you have dedicated your life since you were 12 years old to satisfying your sexual urges by whatever means at your disposal.'
The judge also attacked the works of occultist Aleister Crowley, which inspired the Kidwelly cult.
Batley and the others were said to have used Crowley's The Book Of The Law – which praises prostitution and free sex – as a guide for their own action.
Judge Thomas told Batley he had used the occult to manipulate and control his victims.
Batley (pictured in 2011) operated as the self-styled high priest of the cult which he ran from a series of quiet homes in a cul-de-sac in Kidwelly, west Wales
The judge added: 'You became their master and formed a community within a community involving child abuse rape and prostitution. You have been described as evil and that is an entirely accurate statement of your character.
'It is clear you have dedicated your life to satisfy your sexual urges by any means at your disposal. The age or sex of your victims was largely a matter of indifference to you.
'You treated one victim as nothing more than a sexual plaything, dominating and controlling her life and you persuaded your wife to join in. What happened has besmirched the unsuspecting town of Kidwelly.'
Tragically for the cult's many victims, Carmarthenshire Social Services were warned of Batley's child abuse in 2002 by a worried relative – but took no action.
As a consequence, Batley continued to 'prey on the young and vulnerable' for a further eight years.
It was not until one brave victim - whom Batley had impregnated as a teenager - went to the police in 2010 that his dark web of manipulation, terror and cruelty finally collapsed.
Batley was found guilty of offences including 11 rapes, three indecent assaults, causing prostitution for personal gain, causing a child to have sex and inciting a child to have sex.
Passing sentence, the judge made it clear that Batley would be eligible to seek parole only once it was determined he no longer represented a danger to the public.
A major part of that process is to admit his guilt, something he vehemently denied throughout the trial, the court heard.
His wife was found guilty of three counts of indecency with a child and one of sexual activity with a child.
Marling was found guilty of one count of aiding and abetting rape, one of causing prostitution for gain and one of inciting a child to engage in sex.
She was also found guilty of three separate counts of indecency with a child. Millar was found guilty of indecency with a child and inciting a child to engage in sex.
