A predatory offender who abducted a 10-year-old girl, locked her in the boot of his vehicle, and sexually assaulted her on remote wasteland before abandoning her has been released from prison after serving 15 years behind bars.
Kevin Holmes, residing in Thornton, Merseyside, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court in 2011 after pleading guilty to a catalogue of serious offences including kidnap, sexual assault, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH).
The abduction took place on 9 May 2010 when the 10-year-old victim was walking alone to a local shop to buy sweets. Holmes, then aged 28 and living in Crosby, pulled alongside the child and initially asked her for assistance. When the girl turned to walk away, Holmes seized her and forcibly bundled her into the boot of his motor vehicle.
Holmes drove the victim to a secluded area of wasteland where he subjected her to a sexual assault and physical violence. To prevent her from seeking immediate help, Holmes threatened to drown her in a nearby pond if she attempted to turn around or watch him leave.
Leaving the child stranded on the wasteland, Holmes departed the area and collected his three-year-old son before travelling to Yorkshire for a planned holiday.
At Preston Crown Court, Holmes admitted:
One count of kidnap
One count of sexual assault
One count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm
During the 2011 sentencing proceedings, Judge Christopher Cornwall described Holmes as “highly dangerous” and concluded that he presented an ongoing, grave threat to children. Judge Cornwall imposed an Indeterminate Sentence for Public Protection (IPP), ordering that Holmes serve a minimum tariff of five years before becoming eligible to submit an application for parole consideration.
Under the provisions of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, the child victim is protected by mandatory, lifelong statutory anonymity. Any publication, broadcast, or public dissemination of information capable of leading to her identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Following 15 years in custodial confinement—ten years past his original five-year tariff—Holmes was granted release by the Parole Board.
Holmes remains subject to indeterminate licence conditions for life, meaning he can be recalled immediately to prison at any point should he breach the terms of his release. He remains subject to indefinite notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register and management under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA).
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