Katie Piper posts powerful Instagram message following news her acid attacker could be freed next month

Katie Piper is the first contestant to be confirmed for this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images
Tom Powell18 August 2018
The Weekender

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Katie Piper has posted a powerful message of hope on Instagram following the news her acid attacker could be freed next month.

The Parole Board said on Friday that a panel is expected to make a decision in "the coming weeks" over Stefan Sylvestre, who has spent nine years in jail after receiving a life sentence.

Sylvestre left Piper partially blind, with severe scarring to much of her body after throwing sulphuric acid at her face on the orders of her former partner.

Today Piper, who is a contestant on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, took to Instagram to share a defiant message with her supporters.

The message said: “When the world says, ‘give up’, hope whispers, ‘try it one more time’.”

Ten years after surviving the acid attack, Piper, 34, is preparing to appear on the BBC show, which is expected to air next month.

Daniel Lynch, an obsessed fan who had a brief relationship with Piper, raped the aspiring model and presenter and ordered Sylvestre to attack her with acid in 2008.

Stefan Sylvestre is being considered for parole next month
PA

After a trial the following year, Lynch was jailed for life with a minimum of 16 years at the age of 33.

Sylvestre, then 20, received life with a minimum of six years.

Both men, of Shepherd's Bush, west London, admitted GBH.

A Parole Board spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has considered the parole review for Stefan Sylvestre and expect to receive the panel's decision in the coming weeks.

"We are unable to comment further on the individual details of this case."

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