Pedo, 54, who repeatedly raped boy, 12, ‘could be freed because he is scared of catching coronavirus’ – The Sun

A PEDOPHILE who raped a 12-year-old boy could be freed from jail as he's scared of catching the coronavirus.

Glenn Christie, 54, was on a 10-year probation period after completing a prison term for repeatedly raping a 12-year-old boy in Massachusetts.

However, the sex offender has now been granted a motion to argue that he should be released, after being sent back to jail for committing a series of probation violations.

The felon is currently facing between one and two years in prison for breaking his parole.

Christie has underlying health conditions, including kidney disease, spinal stenosis which has left him in a wheelchair and possible thyroid cancer, which may make him vulnerable to COVID-19, Salem News reported.

The decision, that enables Christie to appeal his incarceration, was released on Wednesday.

Speaking about the reasoning for Christie's appeal, Chief Justice Ralph Gants said: "Incarcerated individuals often bunk in the same cell or unit and cannot realistically maintain adequate social distancing.

"The health risks to a person in custody caused by the pandemic constitute changed circumstances.

"We also conclude that, in conducting that (new) review, a judge must give careful consideration not only to the risks posed by releasing the defendant – flight, danger to others or to the community, and likelihood of further criminal acts — but also, during this pandemic, to the risk that the defendant might die or become seriously ill if kept in custody."

Following the ruling, David Rangavis, Christie's lawyer, tweeted: "I’m cautiously optimistic that the court will see him as a perfect example of the sort of vulnerable person in need of release."

The news comes as the US death toll currently stands at 5,110.

The number of confirmed cases in the country has now soared to at least 215,300.

The social distancing guidelines for America have now been extended until April 30 to try and curb the spread of the virus.

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