Victims of the disgraced breast surgeon, Ian Paterson, have expressed their shock and outrage at his potential transfer to an open prison. Paterson, originally from Glasgow but practicing in hospitals in Birmingham, was sentenced to 20 years in 2017 for carrying out unnecessary operations. Last week, it was revealed that Paterson had been approved for a move to a Category D prison for low-risk inmates.
In response to this decision, the victims of Paterson have taken action by writing a letter to Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, urging for the reversal of this move. They have also initiated a petition to gather support for their cause. Deborah Douglas, who spearheaded the petition, emphasized that transferring Paterson to a less secure facility would undermine the seriousness of his crimes and disregard the voices of the victims.
Sally Atterbury, the daughter of one of Paterson’s victims, Sylvia, added her voice to the plea, highlighting the importance of considering the victims’ health and well-being in such decisions. The victims are determined to ensure that justice is served and that Paterson is held accountable for the trauma he inflicted.
The petition aims to draw attention to the concerns of those affected by Paterson’s actions and to seek reassurance that their voices will not be silenced. As the campaign gains momentum, it remains to be seen how authorities will respond to the impassioned pleas of those who continue to suffer from the consequences of Paterson’s heinous acts.