In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that David Mapp, who was sentenced to 13 years in 2013, was released from prison. On Friday, 12 July 2019, Mapp was released on licence after serving half of his custodial term for a prolific 25-year period of child abuse. He was living in Cleveleys, Lancashire, at the time of his sentencing and has historical links to Sandwell, West Midlands.
The investigation established that Mapp, a long-distance HGV driver, used his job to travel across Britain and befriend women to gain access to their children. Between the ages of seven and 15, his victims were subjected to a pattern of grooming where Mapp would build trust before turning his attention to the young girls. He told his victims that his actions “would be their secret” to ensure their silence over two and a half decades.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Mapp faced 30 various sexual offences but was ultimately found guilty of 13 charges of indecent assault against children. Shrewsbury Crown Court heard that the offences were committed primarily in the Telford, Shropshire, and Smethwick, West Midlands, areas. The judge noted that the defendant’s career as a lorry driver provided him with a unique opportunity to target families across multiple regions without raising immediate suspicion.
The judge noted that the scale of the offending and the length of time it remained hidden were significant aggravating factors. For his actions in Smethwick and Telford, the court determined that Mapp required a double-digit sentence to reflect the “vile” nature of his predatory behaviour. The prosecution noted that the investigation required the coordination of multiple police forces due to the wide geographical spread of his activities.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, David Mapp was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: 13 years in prison (Released on licence in July 2019).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are in effect for life.
- SHPO: A Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for life.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court in 2013.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Mapp is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Lancashire Constabulary, West Midlands Police, and the Probation Service. Following his release and return to the Cleveleys and Sandwell areas, his management is subject to the highest level of oversight by the Public Protection Unit.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Mapp must comply with notification requirements for the rest of his life. Authorities state that his history of using his occupation to facilitate grooming means his movements and employment status will be strictly monitored. Any breach of his registration conditions, the SHPO, or his licence terms upon release will result in immediate arrest and a return to prison.
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