Victims: Our fears over sexsomnia rapist's release

VICTIMS of a former soldier who claimed to have been asleep when he raped or sexually assaulted them are distraught that he is to be released two years early.VICTIMS of a former soldier who claimed to have been asleep when he raped or sexually assaulted them are distraught that he is to be released two years early.

- MARCELLO MEGA

Joseph Short, 39, told a court he had a condition called "sexsomnia", a disorder said to involve engaging in sexual activity while asleep.

It has featured as a defence in a number of rape trials, although some experts question whether it is a genuine condition arguing that with other sleep disorders such as sleepwalking, people tend not to sleep through violent encounters and loud noises.

Short had claimed to have remained asleep while pursuing one of his victims on a bicycle, and in spite of the level of violence he used and the noise from falling furniture in the struggle.

He was jailed in May 2016 for 11 years, with four further years on licence, after being found guilty of two rapes and one attempted rape.

Jurors at his trial at Birmingham Crown Court were unaware he had been acquitted at Hull Crown Court in 2011 on two charges of rape against one woman, or that another rape charge had been dropped in Scotland in 2014.

In both cases he used sexsomnia as his defence.

Short will still be subject to restrictions and monitoring after his release this week. But victims fear he could now seek revenge - and feel there is no evidence that he has ever shown remorse.