A notorious predator, once dubbed the most dangerous sex offender in Britain, has been refused release from prison by the parole board.
Kevin Lakeman, aged 63, abruptly left his parole hearing, expressing his withdrawal from consideration for release or transfer to an open prison. The parole board report highlighted concerns about public safety, citing unresolved risks and the need for further examination and potential treatment in a closed prison setting.
Lakeman, hailing from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, received a life sentence in 1995 for three rapes and an attempted rape, with a minimum term of 12 years. His crimes, involving knife-point attacks, occurred at night in 1982 and 1994. Subsequently, Lakeman’s status as Britain’s most prolific sex offender was established when 90 additional potential victims came forward.
Despite being released on parole in January 2019, Lakeman was swiftly returned to custody just two months later due to non-compliance with conditions and disclosures made during polygraph tests. The parole board hearing outlined his admission to past offenses but his continued denial of other accusations.
The parole board acknowledged the presence of unproven allegations and noted similarities between these allegations and Lakeman’s convicted crimes. Concerns were raised regarding the possibility of undisclosed serious sexual offenses committed by Lakeman between his known offenses.
Recent police reviews have decided against reopening cases against Lakeman, stating that no further action will be taken on the remaining charges.