Craig John Hauxwell

Craig John Hauxwell, also known as Lisa Hauxwell, a 48-year-old Darlington-born individual, has been a fugitive sex offender since failing to appear in court in April 2016. He was convicted in his absence in August for committing nine serious sexual offences, including two rapes and seven indecent assaults, against victims in Newton Aycliffe between 2001 and 2002. These crimes were described in court as 'truly horrendous'.

Despite exhaustive enquiries by Durham Police, Hauxwell remained at large, leading to his trial proceeding without him. In mid-November, Judge Simon Hickey at Durham Crown Court sentenced him to 14 years in prison. Prior to his capture, Hauxwell had been living a double life, presenting as both a man and a woman, with his last known address in the Leeds area and a CCTV sighting at a petrol station in Derbyshire.

The breakthrough came following a broadcast on BBC One's Crimewatch UK Wanted Faces segment on Monday evening, which featured images of Hauxwell. Dozens of callers contacted the incident room, providing leads that resulted in his arrest by Nottinghamshire Police in Newark-on-Trent on Tuesday night. He was booked into custody as Craig John Hauxwell and immediately transported back to the North-East.

Detective Inspector Yvonne Dutson of Durham Police stated: 'This is a fantastic result and due entirely to the calls we had following the appeal on Crimewatch. We understand Hauxwell had been living at the address in Newark for several months, without anyone knowing his true identity.'

Hauxwell appeared in Durham Crown Court yesterday afternoon for a short hearing, where it was noted he had breached bail conditions by not attending in 2016, prompting an arrest warrant. Appearing with bleached blond hair tied in a ponytail, he was referred to as a man by his barrister, Simon Perkins. He is due to re-appear before Judge Hickey for sentencing on the bail breach.

The case was reported by The Northern Echo, highlighting the collaborative efforts between Durham Police and Nottinghamshire Police in apprehending the offender 130 miles from the crime scene.