Katie Piper has spoken of her agony after learning the man who doused her in acid 10 years ago will soon be released from prison.
The model and TV presenter, 34, went to a parole board meeting to beg officials not to free Stefan Sylvestre, 30, from jail.
But officials decided he was no longer a danger to the public and could be released in a matter of weeks, despite being given a life sentence with a minimum six-year term in 2009.
Today the mother-of-two took to Instagram to tell her followers how devastated she is, but that her new challenge of being on Strictly Come Dancing is helping her through.
Katie Piper (pictured right this week outside training for Strictly Come Dancing) went to a parole board hearing in a failed bid to convince officials not to release her acid attacker Stefan Sylvestre (mugshot pictured left) from prison
Today mother-of-two Katie Piper took to Instagram to tell her followers how devastated she is
She wrote: ‘Hi everyone, I felt it was important to put a message out to my friends, supporters and followers.
‘This is a really difficult time for me. I am trying to come to terms with the decision and this is something I need to deal with.
‘Over the past two weeks Strictly has already given me such a welcome and positive distraction from my past.
‘Whilst there is never a good time to hear this news I am glad I have this new journey to concentrate on.
Ms Piper is pictured at Chelsea Flower Show in London in May
‘Thank you for your continued support, I really appreciate it. Love Katie x’
Sylvestre left Piper partially blind, with severe scarring to much of her body after throwing sulphuric acid at her face on the orders of her former partner.
Daniel Lynch, an obsessed fan who had a brief relationship with Piper, raped the aspiring model and presenter and ordered Sylvestre to attack her with acid in 2008.
After a trial the following year, Lynch was jailed for life with a minimum of 16 years at the age of 33. Sylvestre, then 20, received life with a minimum of six years.
Ten years after her horrific ordeal, Ms Piper, now a mother-of-two, is preparing to appear on Strictly Come Dancing.
Last week she posted a defiant message on Instagram. She shared a pictured with a caption that read: ‘When the world says, ‘give up’, hope whispers, ‘try it one more time’.’
A spokesman for the Parole Board said: ‘We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board directed the release of Mr Stefan Sylvestre following an oral hearing.
‘Parole Board decisions are solely focused on whether a prisoner would represent a significant risk to the public after release.
‘The panel will have carefully looked at a whole range of evidence, including details of the original evidence and any evidence of behaviour change.
‘We do that with great care and public safety is our number one priority.’
The Parole Board’s decision summary said Sylvestre’s case was considered at an oral hearing, adding that Piper read statements in person to the panel.
‘The panel took full account of the content of these statements and the supporting documentation,’ the summary says.
The document adds: ‘The panel considered that there were a number of things that reduced Mr Sylvestre’s risk of causing serious harm in the future.
‘Mr Sylvestre is now 30 years of age and was just 19 when he committed the index offence.
‘He was drawn into a criminal lifestyle in his teens and was involved with drugs.
Daniel Lynch (mugshot pictured) an obsessed fan who had a brief relationship with Piper, raped the aspiring model and presenter and ordered Sylvestre to attack her with acid in 2008
‘During his time in custody, Mr Sylvestre has actively avoided anti-social behaviour within the prison and has avoided violence, despite being under threat.
‘He has behaved well to distance himself from such influences.
‘He has repaired his relationship with his family, has gained employment-related skills and improved his education.
‘He has not been involved in drugs in prison and has completed relevant offence-focused work to challenge and change his attitude and thinking.’
The summary said a forensic psychologist told the panel that there were factors which would protect Sylvestre from returning to offending and a criminal lifestyle, including his improved relationship with his family and his plans for the future.
Last week Ms Piper posted a defiant message on Instagram, sharing a picture that reads: ‘When the world says ‘give up’, hope whispers ‘try it one more time”
‘Mr Sylvestre displayed empathy for the victim and expressed remorse and shame for his actions,’ the summary said.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: ‘Our heartfelt sympathies are with Katie Piper for the ordeal she has suffered.
‘Acid attacks are abhorrent and those convicted can face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Sylvestre left Piper (pictured in 2009 a year after being attacked) partially blind, with severe scarring to much of her body after throwing sulphuric acid at her face on the orders of her former partner
‘The release of indeterminate sentenced prisoners is a matter for the independent Parole Board, which carries out a full risk assessment before making a decision.
‘Public protection is our priority and while we understand public concern, it is vital that we respect the independence of the Parole Board.
‘That is why we are carrying out a full review of the Parole Board rules, which will build on the work we have already done to increase transparency and ensure victims are supported.’
The Parole Board summary said Sylvestre became eligible to be considered for release on April 8 2014, and had a previous review by the Parole Board in 2015.
Lynch was jailed for life with a minimum of 16 years for sexually assaulting Piper and telling Sylvestre to throw acid over her.
The pair had dated briefly before steroid-fuelled martial arts fan Lynch, who had a previous conviction for pouring boiling water over a man, became obsessively jealous.
In court, Lynch and Sylvestre were told by Judge Nicholas Browne QC they were ‘the face of pure evil’.
Previously Katie shared this adorable picture of her cradling her daughter. She captioned it: ‘Had the best day spending time with both of my girls’