In 2022, Daniel Lomas, a dangerous sex offender who had been left at large by the Police for three and a half years, was discovered residing with a family in Plymouth.
Daniel Lomas, 32, was incarcerated in 2008 for two instances of sexual assault committed at the age of 17. One violation pertained to a girl who was 15 years old at the time, while another involved an individual above 18. Daniel Lomas was subjected to a detention for public protection—an indeterminate punishment aimed at dangerous offenders who, while considered to pose a continuing risk to public safety, did not warrant a life sentence.
Upon his release by the Parole Board, Daniel Lomas was mandated to alert the police of any alterations to his address and to notify them if he resided with minors under 18. On Monday, Prosecutor Matthew Moore-Taylor said at Leeds Crown Court that Daniel Lomas initially violated his sentence in 2016.
He returned to Ashdene Hostel in Wakefield, but absconded again in March 2018 and received a conditional discharge. Following his release in October, Daniel Lomas absconded again and remained at large for nearly three years.
Mr Moore-Taylor stated: “He was released from HMP Risley in 2018 and resided at Ashdene Hostel in Wakefield.” On October 20, 2018, he registered at that address, where he was subject to a curfew, allowing the authorities to monitor his activities. On December 23, 2018, he returned to the hostel for approximately 15 minutes before departing, informing the staff that he would purchase smokes.
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“He failed to return by 27 December 2018 and violated his notification obligations.”
In May of this year, West Yorkshire Police pleaded for those with knowledge of Daniel Lomas’ location to step forward. At that time, it was stated that he had connections to Manchester, Lancashire, South Wales, and London, and it was suggested that he “might be engaged in fairground activities.”
Mr Moore-Taylor stated that following his stay in the countryside in 2020, Daniel Lomas initiated a connection with a woman in Plymouth and cohabited with her and her three children, all minors. He was apprehended on June 11 of this year.
The prosecutor stated: “He was interviewed on June 21, 2022, and provided a comprehensive no comment interview, yet submitted a pre-prepared statement acknowledging the violations.” Mr Moore-Taylor stated that Daniel Lomas had 25 prior convictions for 45 offences, including a breach in 2018 for which he received a six-month conditional release.
Peter Seigne stated that Daniel Lomas encountered the woman in Plymouth in April or May 2020, subsequently establishing a relationship and cohabiting with her and her three children. He noted that Lomas did not disclose his criminal background to the woman.
Mr Seigne stated that the woman and Daniel Lomas maintain communication, and the probation agency has informed her of his prior offences; yet, “eventually, whatever sentence you [the judge] impose will be served, and his application will be to return to that address.”
In October 2018, the court was informed that Daniel Lomas was discharged while receiving antipsychotic medication. He received a diagnosis of a personality disorder in 2014, and in 2018, he was prescribed medication for psychosis. Mr Seigne stated that Daniel Lomas believed the drug was ineffective and useless in managing his personality disorder; yet, “probation insisted he continue taking it despite his assertion that it was not beneficial.”
Mr Seigne stated that by December 2018, Daniel Lomas reported a decline in his mental health, engaged in self-harm, and expressed a need to leave the hostel for the sake of his mental well-being. Mr Seigne stated, “Once he departed, he was unable to obtain his medication due to being at large.”
He asserts that he was psychologically stable and managing his life effectively during his time living in Plymouth as an ordinary family.
The court learnt that Daniel Lomas was adopted at 18 months old after his mother, a drug addict, was incarcerated for manslaughter. At the age of 12, his adoption disintegrated, leading him to engage in substance abuse throughout his youth.
Recorder Mark McKone QC sentenced Daniel Lomas to 16 months of incarceration for the violations, stating: “Three-and-a-half years constitutes a significant duration of non-compliance.” This remains a category one harm case due to the severity of the first offences and the characteristics of the breach. You were residing with three children without notifying the police or probation service of your location.
Daniel Lomas must appear before the Parole Board, which will evaluate his suitability for release. He will be permanently included on the Sex Offenders’ Register. Recorder McKone stated, “Securing release from the Parole Board will be significantly more challenging if you continue to exhibit an inability to adhere to the conditions of your release.”
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