Kevin Lakeman had his parole hearing in private. An expert ruled that a public hearing ‘may increase stress and anxiety’ to him despite concerns of his victims.
A dangerous predator once labelled Britain’s worst sex offender could soon be back on the streets.
A review of Kevin Lakeman’s case by the Parole Board allowed him to have his hearing held in private.
An expert ruled that a public hearing ‘may increase stress and anxiety to Mr Lakeman’ despite the concerns of his victims about his possible release.
Lakeman, now 63, of Sunderland, was jailed for life for three rapes and attempted rape in April 1995, with a minimum term of 12 years.
But his case was reviewed when another 90 potential victims came forward, which led to him being identified as Britain’s worst sex offender at the time.
Lakeman was originally charged with a record 30 sex offences at Newcastle Crown Court.
He was sentenced to four life sentences and served 24 years in prison after being found guilty of two rapes and one attempted rape. He was released in 2019 on parole, but then taken back into custody.
A number of other potential charges were allowed to lie on file when he came to trial 31 years ago.
A review of cases dating back to 2018 and 2019 by police established around 30 potential further charges against him.
All of the offences for which he was convicted occured at night and at knife point. Three were in 1982 and one in 1994.
He was freed in Jan 2019 after making an application to the Parole Board.
Exclusion zones had been put in place in areas where attacks had taken place and home of his former victims.
One of his victims was unhappy at Lakeman being given a ‘map of where she lived’. She said in 2018: “It’s an absolute joke, what is the point?
“It is literally a circle around my house, it indicates where I live, it was safer to not even have the map.
“He has got no reason to be here. How is it fair that he has basically been given a map of where I am but I don’t know any information about him?’
The victim’s life was devastated after the attack and she has since had drink and drugs problems, suffered from depression and self-harmed.
She has also struggled to hold down a job or relationship.
Lakeman was taken back into custody again in March, 2019, after concerns were raised about his behaviour.
Two people applied to the Parole Board for his latest hearing to be held in public. One said that the case had been held amid huge public interest.
But the report by His Honour Jeremy Roberts KC for the parole board ruled that the hearing should be in private.
Lakeman’s legal representative said: “While the profound impact of Mr Lakeman’s offences is acknowledged without reservation, it is respectfully submitted that the interests of justice are best served by this review proceeding in private.
“Mr Lakeman’s offences were grave and caused lasting harm to many individuals. Their seriousness, and the pain endured by the victims and their families, is fully recognised.”
The Parole Board considered the other allegations against Lakeman and stated: “Given all the similarities, the panel considered there was a serious possibility that the allegations (or the majority of them) may be true.
“The volume of the charges, largely similar modus operandi, threats with a knife on many occasions, the locality, in some instances saying he was from the “nut house” or “on the run” from police, and in some cases the perpetrator shared the same (common) blood group as Mr Lakeman are all key factors of their similarity.”
The panel had “factored into its risk assessment the possibility that the majority of the allegations may be true”.
They went on: “There may have been a series of sexual offences committed during that 12-year period uplifting his sex offender profile and casting extra doubt on his openness and honesty which, irrespective of this, has been and remains a concern for professionals.”
The hearing was held on Oct 29, with a ruling expected within two weeks. A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: “A judicial member on behalf of the Parole Board Chair has refused the application for Kevin Lakeman’s parole hearing to be made public.
“Any victims involved in this case are able to apply to observe the private hearing, should they wish to do so, via a separate process.
“Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.
“A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.
“Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing. There is evidence of probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements.
“It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care.
“Protecting the public is our number one priority.”
