I'll Chip In For Some Razor Blades...

A rapist whose deportation was halted when airline passengers staged a mutiny is set to be...

Hanged? No, probably not, sadly...

...released back on to Britain's streets despite the 'real risk' he will commit further offences.

*rolls eyes* What's the excuse this time?

Judge Margaret O'Keeffe last week reluctantly granted Yaqub Ahmed 'bail in principle' because there is no prospect that he can be kicked out of the country soon.

Ahmed, who should have been deported to his native Somalia 18 months ago, is awaiting the result of a legal challenge against his removal.

Just because there's no prospect of deportation, why should he be freed onto the streets? Did some clever lawyer persuade this judge that he's no threat?

Well, no. She admits he's a threat.

Speaking at a bail hearing on Tuesday, Judge O'Keeffe warned: 'I am satisfied that there is a real risk that he would commit offences if released on bail.

'I am also satisfied that the applicant poses a risk of absconding. He failed to comply with bail conditions in the past and was caught attempting to leave the jurisdiction.'

So, what's the problem in keeping him behind bars?

However, she said the risks of him offending and absconding 'have to be balanced against the length of time that the applicant has been in detention'.

Sure, balance them. Just make sure the scales tip in the favour of the rights of innocent citizens to walk the streets...

Government guidance for immigration judges states that 'imperative considerations of public safety may be necessary to justify detention in excess of six months'.

Surely that's overwhelmingly the case here?

Miranda Butler, Ahmed's lawyer, told the tribunal his mental health 'worsened significantly as a result of his detention' and he had attempted suicide.

Well, there's an idea! Hey, Miranda, will you take a package for him?