CONVICTED Welshpool paedophile and rapist Tom Piggott will no longer have his case reviewed by a parole board to secure an early release, a court has ruled.

Appearing at Mold Crown Court on Friday, September 17 – where he was jailed for 10 years for rape of a child under 13 last Monday – Piggott was told that because of a court error, he would automatically be released on licence after completing two-thirds of his sentence.

The former Paralympic hopeful and Oswestry Otters swimmer would then be monitored on licence.

Piggott was previously told by Judge Niclas Parry that because of the danger he posed upon release, he would not qualify for an automatic release on licence, but would have to apply through a parole board.

However, Judge Parry reversed that decision on Friday after Piggott's legal team highlighted that such an order could only be placed on a defendant aged 18 and above.

They added that as Piggott was 17 when he carried out the rape of a 12-year-old child, he could not be subject to such an order, to which Judge Parry agreed.

"This was a complicated case as he offended when he was 17, 18 and 20 but counts three and four, for which he was jailed, took place under 18," said Judge Parry.

"I remain of the view that he could only be referred to the parole board.

"The sentence will remain the same but there will be no requirement for a parole review; you will serve two thirds because your sentence is over seven years."

Judge Parry also accepted that Piggott has served qualifying time while tagged on bail and reduced his sentence by a further 47 days.