Depraved paedophile who snatched girl, 3, from caravan then bound & drowned her could be FREED from jail in just months
A PAEDOPHILE who snatched a three-year-old girl from a caravan before abusing and drowning her could be freed from jail in just months.
Xavier Themis was given four life sentences for kidnapping and murdering Leoni Keating and abducting two other girls.
He dumped Leoni's body in a dyke after snatching her from a holiday caravan site in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, in September 1985.
Themis, 28, then known as Gary Hopkins, sexually assaulted Leoni, tied her hands behind her back and left her in the water-filled ditch.
Her body was found 50 miles away in the River Lark at Barton Mills, near Thetford.
Themis, of Bedford, was convicted of murder in June 1986 at Ipswich Crown Court.
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But now his case has been referred to the Parole Board to consider his possible release, according to .
Themis, now 66, could succeed if his behaviour in prison has been acceptable.
A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: "We can confirm the parole review of Gary Hopkins has been referred to the Parole Board by the Secretary of State for Justice and is following standard processes.
"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.
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"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 such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing.
"It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be 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."
His previous bid to be freed and moved to an open prison was turned down in December 2024.
Yet Parole Board documents show he took part in several prison courses.
A summary stated: "For 10 years, he had participated in a specialised prison to help people identify and deal with their problems.
"Mr Themis had embarked in June 2023 on a programme to address sexual and violent offending.
"This was being conducted on a one-to-one basis. Further treatment interventions were expected."
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Home Secretary Michael Howard reduced his sentence to 30 years in 1994.
Themis then challenged his sentence in 2008 but failed to get it reduced.
