DANIEL TAPPER AND ALFRED PALMER: HORRIFIC PLYMOUTH SEX OFFENDERS FLEE TO TURKEY

In a case that has spanned over a decade, the story of Daniel Tapper and Alfred Palmer, two notorious sex offenders from Plymouth, continues to unfold with shocking revelations and legal battles. Palmer, a once-wealthy letting agent residing on Alcester Street in Plymouth, became infamous for his heinous crimes against vulnerable teenagers and his subsequent flight from justice. His partner in crime, Daniel Tapper, also from Mansfield, was involved in the same criminal activities and shared the same desperate attempt to evade punishment.

Back in 2005, Palmer was arrested in connection with allegations dating back to the late 1990s, involving the sexual abuse of boys aged 16 and older who had recently left care. His position as a letting agent in Plymouth’s Mutley Plain area allowed him to manipulate and exploit young tenants, demanding sexual favors as a condition for housing. His initial trial in May 2006 was abruptly halted after just two days due to complications with evidence, leading to delays and a retrial scheduled for December of the same year.

However, before the retrial could commence, Palmer, then aged 52, and his accomplice Daniel Tapper, aged 53, managed to slip away from the UK. They obtained permission to go on holiday, claiming it was to help them cope with the stress of the upcoming court proceedings. Instead, they traveled to Turkey, specifically to the city of Adana, and disappeared from the authorities’ radar. This act of fleeing Britain was a calculated move, as Palmer and Tapper did not disclose their whereabouts to their legal representatives or the court.

In their absence, both men were tried and convicted in April 2007. Palmer received an indefinite sentence with a minimum of five years, while Tapper was sentenced to three years for his involvement. The court’s decision was based on the severity of their crimes, which included four counts of indecent assault against two teenage boys. Palmer’s flight to Turkey marked the beginning of a long and arduous manhunt, with authorities issuing international arrest warrants and seeking extradition.

Palmer remained at large until November 2009, when Turkish police apprehended him at Adana airport. His extradition process was prolonged, with Palmer fighting to stay in Turkey for two years, claiming he was acting under duress and that he feared for his life. He alleged that he was the victim of a homophobic conspiracy, asserting that the police in Devon and Cornwall were deliberately withholding protection from him because of his sexuality. Palmer claimed that the murders of Terence Sweet in 1990 and Arthur Eathorne in 1995 in Plymouth contributed to his fears of homophobic violence, which he said motivated his flight.

Palmer’s legal saga continued as he fought to overturn his sentence and challenge the legality of his extradition. His lawyers argued that a legal anomaly prevented the correction of his original unlawful sentence, which was an indeterminate sentence for public protection (IPP) that was later changed to a five-year term. They contended that such corrections could only be made in the presence of the defendant, who was in Turkey at the time, thus complicating the legal process. The case was scheduled for an appeal, with Palmer claiming that his two years in a Turkish prison should count towards his sentence, potentially leading to his immediate release.

Meanwhile, Daniel Tapper, who had also fled to Turkey with Palmer, was extradited back to the UK in early 2010. He was subsequently sentenced to an additional 36 weeks in prison for jumping bail, on top of his original three-year sentence. Tapper’s extradition and subsequent imprisonment marked a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims and the authorities’ efforts to bring the offenders to account.

Throughout this ordeal, the victims, who had been left waiting months for justice, endured further trauma as their abusers evaded capture and continued to manipulate the legal system. The case has been a stark reminder of the dangers posed by sexual predators and the importance of international cooperation in pursuing justice across borders. As of now, Palmer’s legal battles continue, with the possibility that he may be released if the courts find procedural errors or legal loopholes that favor his case. The story of Palmer and Tapper remains a dark chapter in Plymouth’s history, highlighting the devastating impact of sexual abuse and the relentless pursuit of justice against those who seek to escape it.