WANTED SEX OFFENDER LEE WHITTING SPOTTED IN HIGHBRIDGE, YORK, AND TAUNTON
JANUARY 2013: Police officers searching for a missing registered sex offender in the Burnham-On-Sea area have located and arrested him.Lee Ronald Whitting was arrested in Plymouth on Friday (January 18th) following a lengthy and ongoing investigation to find him.
As well as breaching the conditions of his sexual offences prevention order, officers wanted to speak with him in connection with a serious assault on a 64- year-old woman that took place in July 2012.
As part of the investigation an appeal was issued in November of last year on the BBC One programme Crimewatch, as pictured below.
As a result a member of the public recognised Whitting and called the police.
On Friday he was charged with Kidnap with intent to commit a relevant sexual offence, a breach of the sexual offender’s notification order, three charges of theft, two charges of possession of sharply-pointed articles and making off without payment.
On Saturday, Whitting appeared at Taunton Deane Magistrates Court and was remanded into custody.
Officers have thanked members of the public for all their help and information.
Burnham-On-Sea.com reported last year that police believed Whitting could have been in the Burnham or Highbridge area.
December 2012, authorities issued a public appeal for information regarding a convicted sex offender who is believed to be operating within the Somerset region, specifically in the towns of Highbridge, Burnham, and Taunton, as well as having connections to York.
The individual, identified as Lee Whitting, has been the subject of ongoing police investigations following a series of concerning incidents and his failure to comply with reporting requirements.
Lee Whitting, who was deported from New Zealand in 2010, has been linked to a disturbing assault that took place along a canal path in Taunton.
According to reports, a woman walking in the area was unexpectedly pulled onto an embankment and subjected to an assault.
Fortunately, she managed to escape from her attacker and attracted the attention of a passing member of the public, which ultimately led to the offender fleeing the scene.
Despite efforts to locate him, Whitting remains at large.
Whitting’s appearance was featured on BBC1’s Crimewatch programme, with authorities emphasizing the urgency of locating him.
A police spokesperson stated, “We need information about where he is.
He has previously led an itinerant lifestyle, sleeping rough, using tents in wooded areas, and also occupying uninhabited caravans.” The police have conducted extensive inquiries but have yet to find him.
They believe he may be hiding in the Somerset East and West areas, particularly in Taunton, Burnham, and Highbridge, and also maintain that he has links to York.
Descriptions of Whitting indicate he is a white male, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, slim build, with dark brown, receding hair, and a beard.
His appearance is often unkempt, which has made him more difficult to locate.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact Detective Constable Andrew Daw at Taunton CID by calling 101 or to reach out anonymously via Crimestoppers at 0800-555111.
The police continue to prioritize his capture to ensure community safety and to address the serious allegations associated with his case.
