Kevin Lakeman, a notorious sex offender from Sunderland, was sentenced to four life terms in April 1995 at Newcastle Crown Court after being found guilty of two rapes and one attempted rape. Originally charged with a record 30 sex offences, his crimes involved attacking victims at night and at knifepoint, with three incidents occurring in 1982 and one in 1994. The offences were particularly brutal, as Lakeman dragged one victim to several locations in Sunderland, terrorising her during the assault.
Following his initial sentencing, Lakeman's case drew national attention when around 90 potential additional victims came forward, leading to his identification as 'Britain's worst sex offender' at the time. A police review of cases from 2018 and 2019 uncovered approximately 30 further potential charges against him, all sharing similarities such as the modus operandi, threats with a knife, locality, and even matching blood groups in some instances. The Parole Board has acknowledged the serious possibility that the majority of these allegations are true, noting factors like Lakeman's references to being from a 'nut house' or 'on the run' from police during attacks.
Lakeman served 24 years in prison before his first release on parole in January 2019, after which exclusion zones were imposed around areas of previous attacks and victims' homes to protect the public. However, one victim expressed profound distress over the arrangements, stating 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.' She highlighted the unfairness of Lakeman receiving information about her location while she knew nothing about him, adding that the attack had devastated her life, leading to issues with drink, drugs, depression, self-harm, and difficulties maintaining employment or relationships.
His freedom was short-lived; Lakeman was recalled to custody in March 2019 after concerns arose about his behaviour. A subsequent parole hearing on 29 October 2025 was conducted in private, despite applications from two individuals for it to be public due to the case's huge public interest. His Honour Jeremy Roberts KC ruled that a public hearing 'may increase stress and anxiety' to Lakeman, prioritising this over victims' concerns. Lakeman's legal representative argued: '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's assessment factored in the potential truth of the additional allegations, stating: '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.' A decision on his possible release is expected within two weeks of the hearing, with the Board emphasising that decisions focus on the risk he poses to the public and whether it is manageable in the community. Victims may apply to observe private hearings, and the process involves thorough examination of evidence including original crimes, behaviour changes, and victim statements.