DANIEL LOMAS: SEX OFFENDER FROM WAKEFIELD AND PLYMOUTH CAUGHT AFTER RUNNING FROM JUSTICE
In September 2022, authorities confirmed that Daniel Lomas, a known sex offender with a troubling history, was found living in Plymouth after having gone on the run for an extended period.Lomas, who previously resided in Wakefield, had a long-standing record of sexual offenses and breaches of his release conditions, making his presence in Plymouth particularly concerning.
Daniel Lomas, now 32 years old, was initially convicted in 2008 on two counts of sexual assault involving a schoolgirl and an adult woman.
His sentence included a detention for public protection, a measure designed for offenders deemed to pose an ongoing threat to society.
Despite this, Lomas managed to breach his legal obligations, leading to a series of legal complications and his eventual disappearance from the authorities' radar.
According to court records, Lomas was released from HMP Risley in 2018.
Following his release, he was placed at Ashdene Hostel in Wakefield, where he was subject to strict monitoring, including a curfew.
On October 20, 2018, he registered at the hostel and was under police surveillance, allowing authorities to track his movements.
However, just a few months later, on December 23, 2018, Lomas returned briefly to the hostel, claiming he was going out to buy cigarettes, but he left shortly after and failed to return by December 27, 2018.
This absence constituted a breach of his notification requirements, and he was considered a fugitive.
In May 2022, West Yorkshire Police issued an appeal to the public, seeking information about Lomas’s whereabouts.
They revealed that he had connections to multiple locations, including Manchester, Lancashire, South Wales, and London.
Police also speculated that he might have been working on fairgrounds, which could explain his mobility and attempts to evade detection.
After spending time in rural areas, Lomas established a relationship with a woman in Plymouth in 2020.
He moved into her residence along with her three children, all under the age of 18.
His presence in Plymouth raised significant concerns given his criminal history and the fact that he was living openly with a family without the knowledge or approval of police or probation services.
On June 11, 2022, Lomas was arrested by police in Plymouth.
During his interview on June 21, 2022, he chose to give a no-comment response but later provided a pre-prepared statement acknowledging his breaches of the conditions of his release.
His extensive criminal record includes 25 previous convictions for 45 offenses, with a notable breach in 2018 that resulted in a six-month conditional discharge.
At Leeds Crown Court, Recorder Mark McKone QC sentenced Lomas to 16 months in prison for his breaches.
The judge emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating, “Three-and-a-half years is a long period of time of non-compliance indeed.
This is still a category 1 harm case given the nature of the original offences and the nature of the breach.
Not only were you living with three children but were doing so without the police or probation service having any idea of where you were living.” Following his sentencing, Lomas will be required to appear before the Parole Board, which will assess whether he is safe to be released back into the community.
He will also remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
The judge warned that continued non-compliance would make it increasingly difficult for him to secure release in the future, underscoring the importance of adhering to the conditions set forth by the authorities.
