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Freed sex attacker murdered woman Freed sex attacker murdered woman
(20 minutes later)
An inquest has begun into the death of a Hampshire woman murdered by a violent sex attacker released on licence from a life sentence nine months earlier.An inquest has begun into the death of a Hampshire woman murdered by a violent sex attacker released on licence from a life sentence nine months earlier.
Anthony Rice, 48, strangled and stabbed to death mother-of-one Naomi Bryant, 40, at her home in Winchester in 2005.Anthony Rice, 48, strangled and stabbed to death mother-of-one Naomi Bryant, 40, at her home in Winchester in 2005.
He was on licence at the Elderfield probation hostel in nearby Otterbourne when he killed her after they had met in a city pub, the inquest was told.He was on licence at the Elderfield probation hostel in nearby Otterbourne when he killed her after they had met in a city pub, the inquest was told.
The coroner said the hearing would look at the issues surrounding the killing.The coroner said the hearing would look at the issues surrounding the killing.
You may feel revulsion at some of the evidence, you will hear evidence of a violent and sexual nature Grahame Short, coronerYou may feel revulsion at some of the evidence, you will hear evidence of a violent and sexual nature Grahame Short, coroner
Winchester Crown Court heard Rice had been given a 10-year minimum term at the Old Bailey in 1989 for attempted rape.Winchester Crown Court heard Rice had been given a 10-year minimum term at the Old Bailey in 1989 for attempted rape.
He was released in November 2004 and killed multiple sclerosis sufferer and alcoholic Ms Bryant on 17 August the next year.He was released in November 2004 and killed multiple sclerosis sufferer and alcoholic Ms Bryant on 17 August the next year.
She was found the next day by her ex-partner and 14-year-old daughter. She was found the next day by her ex-partner and 14-year-old daughter and post-mortem tests showed she had been stabbed 15 times in the chest and neck and had been strangled with a ligature.
Rice was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the murder. Rice was later sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the murder.
Grahame Short, central Hampshire coroner, explained that the hearing would consider evidence from police, probation and prison service representatives and would look at Rice's release from prison and management in the community. Det Insp David Crouch, of Hampshire Police, described Ms Bryant as an alcoholic and local character who was "a very nice lady" and well known in Winchester.
"We will be looking beyond the immediate case and at the broader circumstances in which she died," he said.
Two parole requests were turned down before Rice was released in 2004Two parole requests were turned down before Rice was released in 2004
He said she had met Rice in a pub a few days before he killed her and they had started spending time drinking together.
Det Insp Crouch told the inquest that after Rice was arrested he told officers he had decided he was going to kill her simply because he had a "deep set anger inside him".
Rice said that if it had not been Ms Bryant he would have killed someone else and had chosen her because she was "vulnerable" and an "easy target".
The inquest was told that Rice had 22 previous convictions before the murder dating back to 1972 when he was aged 15.
They included several for rape, sexual assault, attempted rape and making threats to kill. One conviction was for a serious sexual assault on a five-year-old girl.
Grahame Short, central Hampshire coroner, said the hearing would consider evidence from police, probation and prison service representatives and would look at Rice's release from prison and management in the community.
'Emotive inquest'
"We will be looking beyond the immediate case and at the broader circumstances in which she [Naomi Bryant] died," he said.
"We will be looking at what the various authorities did or did not do to protect the public and in particular Naomi Bryant."We will be looking at what the various authorities did or did not do to protect the public and in particular Naomi Bryant.
"This inquest is not straightforward but it is emotive."This inquest is not straightforward but it is emotive.
"Naomi Bryant left a daughter aged 14 without a mother and her own mother lost a child."Naomi Bryant left a daughter aged 14 without a mother and her own mother lost a child.
"They will have been devastated by her death and you will feel great sympathy for them."They will have been devastated by her death and you will feel great sympathy for them.
"You may feel revulsion at some of the evidence, you will hear evidence of a violent and sexual nature, however your duty is to find the facts and reach a conclusion.""You may feel revulsion at some of the evidence, you will hear evidence of a violent and sexual nature, however your duty is to find the facts and reach a conclusion."
Post-mortem tests showed that Ms Bryant had been stabbed 15 times in the chest and neck and had been strangled with a ligature.