DAVID KEATING'S SHOCKING £10K DAY TRIPS FROM MILTON KEYNES AND S YORKS

In a disturbing development, David Keating, a convicted sex offender, has been granted the opportunity to visit various historical and tourist sites across the United Kingdom, all at a significant cost to taxpayers. Over the past 18 months, Keating, aged 64, has been allowed to leave the secure confines of Chadwick Lodge in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, for excursions lasting up to 10 hours each. These outings are reportedly funded by public money, amounting to approximately £10,000 in total expenses.

Keating’s freedom to roam is facilitated under the authority of the Home Office, which permits him to leave the secure unit with minimal supervision—often accompanied by just a single female staff member. A source from Chadwick Lodge expressed outrage at what they described as a wasteful expenditure of public funds, criticizing the practice of taking individuals like Keating on day trips to various locations. The source emphasized that the costs involved—covering staff wages, transportation, and meals—add up to hundreds of pounds per outing.

Investigations reveal that Keating has visited several notable sites within the UK. One such visit was to Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire, where he was observed dressed in a scruffy tracksuit. During this visit, Keating was often left alone by his escort, a female staff member, as he wandered past groups of children or sat on benches watching them play. Despite his past, Keating’s travels have been limited to domestic locations, but recent developments indicate he has obtained a passport, opening the door to international travel.

His recent trips include visits to Warwick Castle, the birthplace of William Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon, and the historic university city of Oxford. Future plans reportedly include trips to Leeds Castle in Kent and Nottingham Castle. Keating has also expressed a desire to visit Edinburgh Castle, a journey that would involve a costly 700-mile round trip. These excursions raise serious concerns given his criminal history.

Keating was convicted of child sex offences at Sheffield Crown Court in South Yorkshire back in 1987. Following his conviction, he was diagnosed with a psychopathic disorder and was detained under the Mental Health Act. Initially, he was held at Rampton secure hospital before being transferred in 2002 to Chadwick Lodge, a medium secure unit in Milton Keynes. Since then, he has been granted increasingly extensive leave, including shopping trips in Milton Keynes and Bletchley, walks along local canals, visits to lakes and parks, and even employment as a dog walker at a nearby animal sanctuary.

His permitted outings have expanded further, allowing him to travel across Britain and interact with children in various settings. A spokesperson for Chadwick Lodge stated, “We cannot comment on individual patients, but therapeutic leave is a part of some patients’ programmes. The Home Office is responsible for the admission of all patients and approves all rehabilitative leave.” The ongoing question remains whether such freedoms are appropriate given Keating’s criminal background and the potential risks involved.