Notorious Rapist Deemed Too Dangerous for Release
The Parole Board has ruled that serial rapist Kevin Lakeman must continue to be held in a closed prison, determining that he still presents a significant danger to women despite having already served 30 years behind bars. Lakeman, now 63, was initially jailed in April 1995 for a horrifying series of attacks on female strangers in Sunderland that spanned twelve years.
A Trail of Terror in Sunderland
Lakeman's reign of terror, which lasted from 1982 to 1994, involved attacks carried out at knifepoint while he was under the influence of drink and drugs. While he was originally convicted for four serious sexual offences—three rapes and one attempted rape—authorities have since received allegations from a staggering 90 different women, potentially making him one of Britain's most prolific sex offenders.
The Parole Board, which held a hearing on October 29, concluded there was a 'serious possibility' that many of the additional allegations against Lakeman were true. In their decision summary released in November, the panel noted striking similarities between the unproven allegations and his convicted offences, factoring this into their risk assessment.
Failed Attempts at Rehabilitation
Lakeman's case has seen multiple attempts at rehabilitation fail over the years. His 12-year tariff expired in January 2006, and he was moved to an open prison in May 2012, only to be returned to closed conditions in July 2014 due to concerns about his behaviour. After another brief period in an open prison, he was sent back again in May 2015 after testing positive for drugs.
He was eventually released on licence in January 2019 but was recalled to custody just two months later when a polygraph test revealed he had violated his licence conditions. The Parole Board had previously refused his release in April of last year.
During his recent hearing, Lakeman's position shifted dramatically—he initially expressed hope for freedom, then requested transfer to an open prison, before finally asking to remain in closed conditions. The board heard evidence from multiple professionals, including his probation officer, prison supervisor, and forensic psychologists.
Victims' Ordeal and Lasting Impact
The profound impact of Lakeman's crimes was made clear through victim statements presented to the panel. One victim, attacked in 1985, described how the assault had 'killed her life,' leading her to turn to alcohol to cope. She expressed being 'heartbroken' when she learned he might be released in 2018.
Lakeman was ultimately caught thanks to pioneering DNA technology that had only recently become available in the 1990s. Scientists were able to 'grow' his blood to obtain a DNA sample that matched semen from one of his victims—a 16-year-old girl he raped on New Year's Day 1982 in the grounds of Hilton Castle.
Despite completing what the Parole Board described as an 'extensive range of accredited programmes' to address his sexual offending, the panel identified a 'serious and critical unexplored area of risk' that requires further investigation within the confines of a closed prison. They declined to recommend either his release or transfer to an open prison, stating they were not satisfied that either option would ensure public safety.
Lakeman will be eligible for another parole review in due course, but for now, he remains incarcerated where the board believes he belongs.
