LEVI THOMAS OF HYDE AND WINCHESTER SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Hyde and Winchester, Levi Thomas, a man aged 66, has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of indecent assault involving a five-year-old girl. The conviction follows a lengthy police investigation that was significantly influenced by media reports and community concerns.

The case came to public attention after a front-page article published in the Daily Echo in March 1999, which detailed sightings of an elderly man, later identified as Levi Thomas, loitering near the gates of St Bede School on Gordon Road. Witnesses reported seeing Thomas multiple times, often staring at children playing in the schoolyard. On one occasion, he was observed engaging in conversation with a grandparent, and on another, he fled the scene after being challenged by a teacher at the school gate. The school had responded by sending out warning letters to parents, alerting them to the potential danger posed by the individual. However, these warnings had not reached the police before the article was published, which prompted a swift response from law enforcement.

Detective Inspector Mike Dodds explained that the police were able to quickly identify and trace Levi Thomas following the publication of the article, preventing the suspect from disappearing or evading justice. The offences for which Thomas was ultimately convicted occurred in August 2000, but they were not initially linked to the incidents at the school. Detective Dodds emphasized that the media coverage played a crucial role in raising awareness about Thomas, stating, “It would be fair to say that, as a result of that article, it increased our awareness of this particular individual, and later about the offences for which he was convicted. The Daily Echo article definitely helped us.”

Levi Thomas has a known history of serial sexual offenses, although his previous crimes occurred several years prior, which meant he was not on the sex offenders’ register at the time of his latest offences. Detective Inspector Dodds described Thomas as “one of the most dangerous people in and around Winchester,” adding, “These types of individuals are always there. It doesn’t go away.”

Judy Hamilton, the headteacher at St Bede School, expressed relief and satisfaction at the outcome, saying, “It’s good news that he is now gone. I’m glad we acted as we did at the time to alert parents. It caused the parents distress, but it was the right thing to do in the circumstances.” The community’s vigilance and the media’s role in highlighting the threat contributed to ensuring that justice was served in this troubling case.