THE Probation Service said a review found the Richard Graves case was “managed to a sufficient standard by probation.”

A spokesman said its sympathies were with the victim of the horrific crime, for which the offender alone was responsible.

“The offender was complying with his probation requirements, but unfortunately risk can never be eliminated entirely,” he said. “We are determined to work with the police to have the best possible systems in place to supervise offenders in the community and protect the public.

“As with any case, a review has been carried out to see if any lessons can be learned and it was found that overall the case had been managed to a sufficient standard by probation.”

North Yorkshire Police assistant chief constable Tim Madgwick, pictured, acting chair of the Strategic Management Board of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements said the priority for police, probation and prison service was to ensure effective public protection in a co-ordinated way. “Although it is very rare for offenders to commit a serious offence in the community, every case where this happens is one too many,” he said.

“We do everything we reasonably can within existing resources to reduce the risk posed by these offenders. “However, it is impossible to eliminate risk altogether, and the offender must ultimately shoulder responsibility for his actions.”

Hostel no stranger to controversy

Other Southview residents committed further crimes while staying there.

Earlier this year, Brian Peacock was jailed for 12 months for contacting a girl while on parole from a five-year sentence for child rapes.

Last year Antony Jeffrey, living at the hostel as a condition of his release from prison, was jailed for 18 months after police foiled his plans to peddle heroin.

In 2007, dangerous child sex offenders on parole, Joseph Taylor, 27, and William Bailey, 58, absconded from the hostel, sparking a nationwide hunt that only ended when the younger man handed himself in.

Also in 2007, Christopher Scott was jailed for life for trying to rape a woman in a York bar, while living at the hostel on parole for an earlier rape.