One of Britain’s worst rapists, who is feared to have attacked 90 women, sometimes at knife-point, could be released from prison in weeks.
Kevin Lakeman, 63, launched a 12-year ‘reign of terror’ against women across Sunderland.
He was jailed for life in 1995 and ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years but was warned he would stay in prison as long as he was a danger to the public.
Lakeman was convicted of three rapes and an attempted rape while under the influence of drink and drugs. He always targeted lone women who he did not know at night.
Separately, eight allegations of rape and four of attempted rape were the subjects of charges, which were ordered to be left on the file
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He held a knife against the victims but that was only a fraction of his offending, with around 90 women making allegations against him.
One victim was dragged to three separate locations across Sunderland over a two-year period.
Now he is up for parole, and victims are campaigning for his hearing to be held in public. This was rejected by the parole board.
His case will be assessed by a panel of experts in private, who will either decide to release him or keep him in prison.
They will assess reports on progress made in prison and what risk they deem him to pose to the public if he was to be released.
His lawyer argued that a public hearing could put his life and safety at risk.
He was released in January 2019 on licence, but that was revoked and he returned to prison in March 2019 after breaching conditions repeatedly.
Speaking at the time, she added: ‘Probation are trying to tell me not to worry, but what do I do?
‘There’s also nothing to physically stop him from entering the area, and now he knows where I am. I am terrified he could attack me again.
‘What has he got to lose. If he wanted to get out of jail and come looking for me, what has he got to lose?’
Police this year conducted a review of historical allegations which were made.
They confirmed that the decision not to proceed with certain charges in 1995 had been reviewed and fully explained. No further action will be taken against those allegations.
His lawyer said there were dangers on holding the hearing in public. He said: ‘Emotional and physical abuse or assault from others, for example from vigilante groups due to the nature of the offending profile and media attention surrounding the case.
‘Previous concerns in relation to self-harm, the nature of the risk includes self-harm and suicide which could be triggered by feelings of hopelessness, low mood, negative feelings towards himself and fears for his safety.’
The parole board chair said: ‘Furthermore if there is a public hearing there is bound to be an increased risk of some members of the public (not, of course either of the Applicants or their families) taking it upon themselves to kill or inflict serious harm on Mr Lakeman.
‘This might happen in prison (despite the best efforts of the staff to prevent such an occurrence) or in the community if Mr Lakeman’s whereabouts there were to become known.’
Parole Board hearings started to be held in public in December 2021. Notable public hearings include Charles Bronson and Stephen Lawrence murderer David Norris.