A man who raped a 76-year-old woman at knifepoint and beat her over the head with a frying pan before he also raped the woman’s visiting nurse has been granted parole.

Patrick Kelley — now 61 years old after spending 31 years behind bars — was sentenced to three concurrent life sentences back in 1995.

The Massachusetts Parole Board recently OK’d the convicted rapist’s freedom despite opposition from the Suffolk DA’s office.

Kelley was 30 years old in September of 1994 when he tricked the 76-year-old woman into letting him into her Dorchester home, police said.

He had previously been to her house for construction work, but this time he lied to her and said he had material for the contractor.

The woman was home with her ill husband, expecting the visiting nurse to come and care for him.

Once inside her home, Kelley grabbed the 76-year-old woman from behind when she turned her back, and he put his arm around her neck. After telling her that he had a gun and knife, Kelley forced her into the kitchen.

He took objects from the kitchen table and struck her with a bottle and black cast iron frying pan.

Kelley slapped her and threatened to kill her, telling her to “keep quiet and shut [her mouth].” He then followed her after demanding that she get her jewelry box and money.

Kelley then forced her to the home’s second floor, where he raped her. He also threatened to rape and murder the woman’s bedridden husband if she didn’t turn over cash and jewelry.

“I’ll rape and kill your husband if you don’t give me what I want,” Kelley said, according to a Suffolk DA prosecutor in court.

Kelley stole about $75, saying he was a drug addict who needed a fix, and that he would kill her because he did not mind dying.

Then the visiting nurse arrived at the home. While holding a knife, Kelley forced the nurse upstairs and told her to remove her clothing because he was going to rape her.

Kelley told the nurse that “he could kill her,” and that he “had killed a police officer before.” He forced the 76-year-old woman to lie face down on the floor, and then he threw the nurse on the bed and raped her.

Kelley then took both women downstairs, where he went through their pocketbooks, looking for money. He locked them both in the bathroom and barricaded the door. He ripped the phones out of the walls and fled the scene.

Kelley ended up pleading guilty to three counts of aggravated rape as a habitual criminal, and he was sentenced to three concurrent life sentences.

He also pleaded guilty to several other charges: armed robbery (life), armed assault in a dwelling (life), two counts of kidnapping (9.5 to 10 years), assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon on a person age 65 or older (9.5 to 10 years) and assault by means of a dangerous weapon (4.5 to 5 years).

Before this assault in 1994, Kelley had served time for felony convictions in Middlesex County, including for assault on an elderly person.

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Last year, Kelley appeared before the Massachusetts Parole Board for the fifth time. During his previous appearance, the board stressed that he should focus on establishing a supportive re-entry plan.

“Mr. Kelley completed the Sex Offender Treatment Program and has remained in maintenance and lifer group,” the Parole Board wrote in its decision. “Mr. Kelley’s offense was directly related to addiction. He has been sober for 30 years. Mr. Kelley demonstrated further insight into his pattern of offending and invested in Restorative Justice practices.”

He has remained disciplinary report free for more than 11 years, the board noted, adding that he has been employed in the kitchen for over a year.

“Mr. Kelley explored re-entry plans that would meet his needs,” the board wrote. “Mr. Kelley agrees residential treatment would be beneficial as he re-enters the community, with additional supportive services.

“The Board considered the testimony of Suffolk County ADA Montez Haywood in opposition to parole,” the board added. “The Board concludes by unanimous decision that Patrick Kelley has demonstrated a level of rehabilitation that would make his release compatible with the welfare of society.”