DANIEL VENESS FROM LOWESTOFT AND NORWICH FACES NEW SCRUTINY AFTER SEX OFFENCES IN LOWESTOFT AND NORWICH

In May 2021, a disturbing case involving Daniel Veness, a man originally from Lowestoft and now residing in Norwich, came to light as he successfully petitioned to have his sexual offences prevention order lifted. This development followed a series of serious criminal activities and legal proceedings that underscored the gravity of his past offenses and the ongoing concerns about his risk to the community.

Veness, who is also known by the surname Wright, was previously subjected to a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) and a community order after being convicted of multiple serious crimes. The initial case against him was rooted in a disturbing incident involving a five-year-old girl, whom he sexually assaulted. This assault occurred after Veness had been ordered to attend a specialized sex offender treatment program, which was ultimately canceled due to a lack of resources. The court heard that Veness’s criminal behavior was first identified in 2011 when authorities discovered 600 child sexual abuse or rape images on his computer. This led to his being ordered to undergo treatment, a process that was hindered by funding shortages and logistical issues.

In 2013, Veness was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for the sexual assault of the young girl. Judge David Goodin, presiding over the case at Ipswich Crown Court, described Veness as a significant danger to young girls. The judge expressed regret that the treatment program, which was a crucial part of his rehabilitation, had not commenced two years into his three-year community order. The delays were initially attributed to Veness being on holiday, but subsequent start dates in March and October 2012 were canceled due to insufficient resources, highlighting systemic issues in managing such cases.

Further investigations revealed that Veness had been involved in additional criminal activities. In 2013, he was arrested after a friend reported seeing indecent images of naked girls on his mobile phone. When authorities examined the device, they uncovered 46 indecent images of children, along with footage that Veness had recorded himself, depicting him sexually assaulting the sleeping five-year-old girl. These revelations underscored the severity of his offenses and the ongoing threat he posed.

Veness, who was then living on St George’s Road in Lowestoft and later moved to Hobart Drive in Norwich, admitted to multiple charges, including sexual touching, taking indecent images of a child, downloading such images, breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, and failing to notify police of his change of address as required by the Sex Offenders’ Register. His criminal record also included a caution in November 2008 for sexual activity with a girl under 13.

Despite his incarceration and the imposition of an extended license period of three years, authorities maintained that Veness remained a significant risk. He was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register and was placed under an indefinite SOPO, which restricted his activities and monitored his behavior. However, in a recent development, Judge Emma Peters, after hearing from a public protection officer that Veness was now considered at low risk of reoffending, agreed to his application to have the SOPO discharged. Nevertheless, Veness will continue to be listed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, reflecting ongoing concerns about his potential threat to the community.

Throughout the legal proceedings, the case drew attention from child protection agencies and the public. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) described the case as “distressing,” emphasizing the importance of ensuring that appropriate treatment and support are provided to victims and offenders alike. The NSPCC highlighted the critical need for effective intervention programs to prevent further harm and protect vulnerable children from predators like Veness.

In summary, the case of Daniel Veness from Lowestoft and Norwich exemplifies the challenges faced by the justice and social services in managing offenders with a history of sexual crimes. While legal measures have been taken to monitor and restrict his activities, the ongoing debate about the adequacy of treatment programs and resource allocation remains central to efforts aimed at safeguarding children and preventing future offenses.