MARK SLEMAN ARRESTED IN SMALLFIELD AFTER ESCAPING EXETER PRISON AND REPEATEDLY OFFENDING IN STUART HOLMES AND SMALLFIELD

In a significant development in ongoing efforts to apprehend a dangerous and highly notorious offender, police authorities have successfully detained Mark Sleman in the Smallfield area of Surrey. The arrest was made early this afternoon following coordinated efforts between officers in Surrey and those involved in the investigation. Sleman remains in custody and is expected to be transported back to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

To provide context, Sleman, also known by aliases such as Archie Sleman and Stuart Holmes, has a long and troubling criminal history marked by violent and sexual offenses. His recent escape from a bail hostel in Exeter in September 2013 triggered a widespread police manhunt. Authorities believe he is still hiding within the Exeter vicinity, and the public has been strongly advised not to approach him under any circumstances. Instead, residents are urged to contact emergency services immediately if they spot him.

Sleman, now 42 years old, has spent nearly half of his life incarcerated due to his extensive criminal record. When he was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court in November 2008, the judge considered imposing an indefinite detention order, which would have kept him in custody until he could demonstrate to the Home Secretary that he was no longer a threat to society. His criminal profile includes being diagnosed as a 'cold and callous psychopath,' a label that underscores the severity of his mental health and dangerousness.

His violent past includes robbing a homeless friend at knifepoint while they were sleeping rough near Sandygate roundabout. He also attempted to rob a petrol station at the Moto services on the M5 at Sowton, an incident thwarted by a quick-thinking shop assistant. His criminal record further reveals a nine-year sentence for attempted rape, indecent assault, and kidnapping of a 10-year-old girl. During that heinous crime, he kidnapped the girl from her home, took her to a caravan, sexually assaulted her, and threatened her before returning her safely to her residence. In a disturbing incident, Sleman entered a vicarage in the early hours, woke the child, and falsely claimed he was acting on the vicar’s instructions due to a burglary. He then took her to his caravan, where he attempted to rape her and committed serious sexual assaults, before returning her to her bedroom.

His criminal activities extend further, including a 2003 conviction for robbing the Winning Post service station on Haldon Hill at knifepoint. His pattern of violent and predatory behavior has made him a significant concern for law enforcement agencies. Sleman’s physical description includes being a white male, approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall (180 cm), with a medium build, cropped ginger hair, and blue eyes. He bears a distinctive 3-inch scar on his right cheek and has numerous tattoos on his arms, including a rose, the name Suggs, a cross, and some dots. His accent is described as soft and English.

In June 2013, Sleman, then living in Camborne and known to have previously used the name Mark Holmes, was active on various online dating platforms. His criminal history also includes a conviction from 1994 when he was called Mark Holmes, for sexual offenses against a young girl. His pattern of offending and the severity of his crimes have led to ongoing concerns about his potential threat to the community. The police continue to monitor his movements closely, and the recent arrest in Smallfield marks a significant step in ensuring he remains off the streets and accountable for his past actions.