In 2026, the Offender Database recorded that Andrew Davies, 69, died of natural causes while serving 13 life sentences for a campaign of serial rape that terrorised the North of England. On 28 February 2026, the prisoner—formerly known as Andrew Barlow and Andrew Longmire—died at HMP Moorland, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire. It was reported that Davies, originally from Bolton, Greater Manchester, had spent 37 years in custody for his predatory conduct, which involved the systematic targeting of women in their own homes.
The investigation established the prolific and violent nature of Davies’ crimes during the 1980s. Greater Manchester Police and forces across Cheshire, Staffordshire, Lancashire, and South Yorkshire reported that Davies was dubbed the “Coronation Street Rapist” because he targeted women alone in terraced houses, often waiting for male relatives to leave for work. The prosecution reported that Davies was convicted of 11 rapes in 1988 and later received two additional life sentences in 2010 and 2017 after DNA technology linked him to further attacks committed in the early 1980s.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Davies was a maximum-risk offender who displayed a complete disregard for human life and the law. Leeds Crown Court and other jurisdictions heard how Davies had evaded capture for years, even shooting at two police officers during his eventual arrest in Bebington, Merseyside. The investigation established that although he was released on licence in March 2023, he was recalled to prison just six weeks later due to a breach of conditions and behavior that was deemed unmanageable in the community.
The Parole Board noted in a July 2024 hearing that Davies continued to present a “very high risk” of committing further contact sexual offences. For his actions across the North of England, he was denied a second release, with officials stating his risk of serious harm remained extreme. The judge noted during his multiple sentencings that the 13 life terms and an additional 56 years for attempted murder and other offences reflected the “terror” he had spread throughout the 1980s.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Andrew Davies (Barlow) is as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: 13 Life Sentences (Initial sentencing 1988).
- Status: Deceased (28 February 2026).
- Cause of Death: Natural Causes.
- Location of Death: HMP Moorland, South Yorkshire.
- Judicial Oversight: Convicted across multiple Crown Courts following a multi-force investigation.
- Criminal Record: Rape (13 counts); Attempted murder of police officers; Sexual assault; Burglary.
- Origin: Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Post-Mortem Investigation and Legacy
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) has launched a mandatory investigation into the death of Davies at HMP Moorland. While his death from natural causes marks the end of his 13 life sentences, the impact of his decade-long campaign of sexual violence continues to affect survivors across Greater Manchester and the surrounding counties. Authorities state that the successful use of DNA technology in 2010 and 2017 to secure further convictions ensured that Davies never achieved permanent freedom after his original 20-year tariff expired.
As one of the UK’s most notorious serial rapists, Davies’ management remained a priority for the Public Protection Unit until his death. Authorities state that the decision to recall him to prison in 2023 was a critical intervention that prevented a high-risk predator from reoffending in the community. The investigation by the PPO will review the clinical care he received during his final weeks in the Doncaster facility to ensure standards of custody were maintained until his death in February 2026.
In 2026, the Offender Database recorded that Andrew Davies, 69, died of natural causes while serving 13 life sentences for a campaign of serial rape that terrorised the North of England. On 28 February 2026, the prisoner—formerly known as Andrew Barlow and Andrew Longmire—died at HMP Moorland, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire. It was reported that Davies, originally from Bolton, Greater Manchester, had spent 37 years in custody for his predatory conduct, which involved the systematic targeting of women in their own homes.
The investigation established the prolific and violent nature of Davies’ crimes during the 1980s. Greater Manchester Police and forces across Cheshire, Staffordshire, Lancashire, and South Yorkshire reported that Davies was dubbed the “Coronation Street Rapist” because he targeted women alone in terraced houses, often waiting for male relatives to leave for work. The prosecution reported that Davies was convicted of 11 rapes in 1988 and later received two additional life sentences in 2010 and 2017 after DNA technology linked him to further attacks committed in the early 1980s.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Davies was a maximum-risk offender who displayed a complete disregard for human life and the law. Leeds Crown Court and other jurisdictions heard how Davies had evaded capture for years, even shooting at two police officers during his eventual arrest in Bebington, Merseyside. The investigation established that although he was released on licence in March 2023, he was recalled to prison just six weeks later due to a breach of conditions and behavior that was deemed unmanageable in the community.
The Parole Board noted in a July 2024 hearing that Davies continued to present a “very high risk” of committing further contact sexual offences. For his actions across the North of England, he was denied a second release, with officials stating his risk of serious harm remained extreme. The judge noted during his multiple sentencings that the 13 life terms and an additional 56 years for attempted murder and other offences reflected the “terror” he had spread throughout the 1980s.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Andrew Davies (Barlow) is as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: 13 Life Sentences (Initial sentencing 1988).
- Status: Deceased (28 February 2026).
- Cause of Death: Natural Causes.
- Location of Death: HMP Moorland, South Yorkshire.
- Judicial Oversight: Convicted across multiple Crown Courts following a multi-force investigation.
- Criminal Record: Rape (13 counts); Attempted murder of police officers; Sexual assault; Burglary.
- Origin: Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Post-Mortem Investigation and Legacy
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) has launched a mandatory investigation into the death of Davies at HMP Moorland. While his death from natural causes marks the end of his 13 life sentences, the impact of his decade-long campaign of sexual violence continues to affect survivors across Greater Manchester and the surrounding counties. Authorities state that the successful use of DNA technology in 2010 and 2017 to secure further convictions ensured that Davies never achieved permanent freedom after his original 20-year tariff expired.
As one of the UK’s most notorious serial rapists, Davies’ management remained a priority for the Public Protection Unit until his death. Authorities state that the decision to recall him to prison in 2023 was a critical intervention that prevented a high-risk predator from reoffending in the community. The investigation by the PPO will review the clinical care he received during his final weeks in the Doncaster facility to ensure standards of custody were maintained until his death in February 2026.