ALEEM SHEID FROM NORMANTON RELEASED AFTER SERVING JUST 2½ YEARS FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN DERBY AND NORMANTON
| Red Rose Database
Normanton Rapist
In a development that has raised serious concerns among victim support groups and local residents, Aleem Sheid, a man convicted of multiple sexual offenses, has been released back into the community of Normanton after serving less than two and a half years in custody. His return to the same area where he committed his crimes has sparked alarm, especially considering that he has twice breached court-imposed orders designed to monitor his behavior and restrict his movements.
His release became publicly known after he appeared in court for violating conditions set by police authorities. These conditions were intended to keep a close watch on his activities, yet Sheid managed to breach them on more than one occasion. It remains unclear whether any of his victims have been informed of his release, which adds to the community’s unease.
During his trial, Sheid, aged 29 and residing on Madeley Street in Normanton, denied charges of rape, attempted rape, and three sexual assaults involving women and teenagers from Derby. Despite his denials, the court found him guilty of the offenses. A psychiatrist who evaluated Sheid highlighted significant deficiencies in his social awareness and daily functioning, which played a role in the legal proceedings.
Following the conviction, Judge Jeremy Lea issued an indefinite hospital order, which meant Sheid was to be detained in a secure hospital facility. The judge emphasized the severity of his crimes and the psychological harm inflicted upon his victims, stating that it was impossible to determine when he would no longer pose a significant risk to the public. The judge remarked that, had the medical evidence not been so compelling, Sheid might have faced a life sentence.
Despite these grave concerns, Sheid was discharged from the hospital after just over two years, specifically two years and four months, by a mental health tribunal. This decision has been met with criticism from victim advocacy groups, who argue that such a short detention period is inadequate given the seriousness of his offenses. Jacqui Bowman, the manager of Derbyshire Rape Crisis, expressed her disapproval, stating, “If this man was sentenced for committing sexual offences with five different women, then two-and-a-half years is not much of a deterrent, regardless of whether it’s in hospital or prison.”
She further added, “It is debatable whether someone who has committed such severe crimes can change significantly in such a short time, although change is always possible. The sentences for sexual assault and rape are quite low, especially considering that rape is ranked just below murder in terms of severity. This discrepancy can be re-traumatizing for victims, who may feel that their experiences are not taken seriously by the justice system.”
Sheid’s criminal history in Normanton spans from November 2001 to March 2005, during which he attacked five women and teenagers. His first assault involved threatening a prostitute on Sacheverel Street to perform a sex act. In June 2004, he sexually assaulted another prostitute in the same area. Later that year, in November, he dragged a 17-year-old girl into an alleyway on Hartington Street and sexually assaulted her. His final known attack occurred in February 2005, when he attempted to rape a 15-year-old girl in broad daylight at River Gardens. The last victim was a 15-year-old girl whom he raped in Dover Street, Normanton.
Following his conviction in November 2006, Judge Lea ordered Sheid to be detained indefinitely in a secure hospital unit, stating that he would only be considered for release when authorities deemed it safe. Sheid was eventually discharged in March 2009 by the Mental Health Tribunals Service, which cited the need for careful evaluation of public safety and medical reports before making such decisions. The service emphasized that each case is considered with utmost caution, although no specific details about Sheid’s case were disclosed.
In addition, Derbyshire Probation Service explained that a person cannot be lawfully detained if there are no ongoing treatment needs. They acknowledged that some individuals may still pose a risk to the public despite assessments, but without legal grounds for continued detention. The responsibility of informing victims about the offender’s release lies with the probation service or hospital management. However, due to confidentiality and policy restrictions, no confirmation has been provided regarding whether Sheid’s victims have been notified of his release.
Victim support organizations, such as Victim Support, have voiced concerns about the potential for re-victimization and the safety of the community. A spokesperson emphasized that the primary considerations should be the protection of victims and the public, especially when offenders are released back into society.
In December of the previous year, Sheid received a 12-month suspended jail sentence for failing to comply with the sex offender registration requirements. He had traveled to Pakistan shortly after his hospital discharge without informing authorities, which led to police applying for a ten-year sexual offenders prevention order to monitor him more effectively. This order was granted in January of this year. Recently, Sheid appeared at Derby Crown Court for breaching this order by missing a probation appointment and staying at an unapproved address. Judge John Burgess sentenced him to 26 weeks in prison, but since he had been on remand since April, he was released immediately after sentencing.
His release became publicly known after he appeared in court for violating conditions set by police authorities. These conditions were intended to keep a close watch on his activities, yet Sheid managed to breach them on more than one occasion. It remains unclear whether any of his victims have been informed of his release, which adds to the community’s unease.
During his trial, Sheid, aged 29 and residing on Madeley Street in Normanton, denied charges of rape, attempted rape, and three sexual assaults involving women and teenagers from Derby. Despite his denials, the court found him guilty of the offenses. A psychiatrist who evaluated Sheid highlighted significant deficiencies in his social awareness and daily functioning, which played a role in the legal proceedings.
Following the conviction, Judge Jeremy Lea issued an indefinite hospital order, which meant Sheid was to be detained in a secure hospital facility. The judge emphasized the severity of his crimes and the psychological harm inflicted upon his victims, stating that it was impossible to determine when he would no longer pose a significant risk to the public. The judge remarked that, had the medical evidence not been so compelling, Sheid might have faced a life sentence.
Despite these grave concerns, Sheid was discharged from the hospital after just over two years, specifically two years and four months, by a mental health tribunal. This decision has been met with criticism from victim advocacy groups, who argue that such a short detention period is inadequate given the seriousness of his offenses. Jacqui Bowman, the manager of Derbyshire Rape Crisis, expressed her disapproval, stating, “If this man was sentenced for committing sexual offences with five different women, then two-and-a-half years is not much of a deterrent, regardless of whether it’s in hospital or prison.”
She further added, “It is debatable whether someone who has committed such severe crimes can change significantly in such a short time, although change is always possible. The sentences for sexual assault and rape are quite low, especially considering that rape is ranked just below murder in terms of severity. This discrepancy can be re-traumatizing for victims, who may feel that their experiences are not taken seriously by the justice system.”
Sheid’s criminal history in Normanton spans from November 2001 to March 2005, during which he attacked five women and teenagers. His first assault involved threatening a prostitute on Sacheverel Street to perform a sex act. In June 2004, he sexually assaulted another prostitute in the same area. Later that year, in November, he dragged a 17-year-old girl into an alleyway on Hartington Street and sexually assaulted her. His final known attack occurred in February 2005, when he attempted to rape a 15-year-old girl in broad daylight at River Gardens. The last victim was a 15-year-old girl whom he raped in Dover Street, Normanton.
Following his conviction in November 2006, Judge Lea ordered Sheid to be detained indefinitely in a secure hospital unit, stating that he would only be considered for release when authorities deemed it safe. Sheid was eventually discharged in March 2009 by the Mental Health Tribunals Service, which cited the need for careful evaluation of public safety and medical reports before making such decisions. The service emphasized that each case is considered with utmost caution, although no specific details about Sheid’s case were disclosed.
In addition, Derbyshire Probation Service explained that a person cannot be lawfully detained if there are no ongoing treatment needs. They acknowledged that some individuals may still pose a risk to the public despite assessments, but without legal grounds for continued detention. The responsibility of informing victims about the offender’s release lies with the probation service or hospital management. However, due to confidentiality and policy restrictions, no confirmation has been provided regarding whether Sheid’s victims have been notified of his release.
Victim support organizations, such as Victim Support, have voiced concerns about the potential for re-victimization and the safety of the community. A spokesperson emphasized that the primary considerations should be the protection of victims and the public, especially when offenders are released back into society.
In December of the previous year, Sheid received a 12-month suspended jail sentence for failing to comply with the sex offender registration requirements. He had traveled to Pakistan shortly after his hospital discharge without informing authorities, which led to police applying for a ten-year sexual offenders prevention order to monitor him more effectively. This order was granted in January of this year. Recently, Sheid appeared at Derby Crown Court for breaching this order by missing a probation appointment and staying at an unapproved address. Judge John Burgess sentenced him to 26 weeks in prison, but since he had been on remand since April, he was released immediately after sentencing.