DARRIN INKDEN OF HARTLEPOOL JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT MAKES HORSE SHOW PLEA
In May 2021, Darren Inkpen, a notorious offender from Hartlepool, was sentenced to five years in prison for sexually assaulting a teenager.Despite his conviction and the court's recognition of him as a "high risk of serious harm" to children, Inkpen may still be permitted to attend horse shows that are popular with young audiences once he is released.
He is now required to register as a sex offender for life and will be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order designed to limit his contact with potential victims.
At his sentencing at Newcastle Crown Court, Inkpen, who participated via video from prison, expressed concern that the restrictions might prevent him from attending miniature horse shows he is involved with during the summer.
He stated, "I work with miniature horses in the summer, miniature horse shows.
There’s always children around, how’s that going to work?" The court clarified that the sexual harm prevention order will prohibit him from having contact with children without explicit approval from authorities.
Inkpen questioned whether his involvement with horse shows would be affected, saying, "I help an adult out, help out with them but there’s always kids there.
The kids show their horses as well." Judge Robert Adams initially suggested that Inkpen might be permitted to attend these events, explaining, "I think that would be allowed, you are perfectly entitled to conduct your lawful daily life but mustn’t have any contact with any children under 18 unless inadvertent.
That shouldn’t be a difficulty, unless of course it’s a horse show put on specifically for children." The judge added that if the event is specifically "laid on for children," Inkpen must not attend.
Final terms of the restrictions will be determined at a hearing next month, with Judge Adams noting, "I don’t want to get drawn into a discussion about horse shows." Inkpen, of Woodview Road in Beeston, Leeds, admitted to three sexual assault offences related to an attack in the Hartlepool area.
The court was told the victim was left "shaking" after the assault.
Despite his pleas, Inkpen has denied the offences to probation officials and has been assessed as posing a "high risk of causing serious harm to children and vulnerable women." —————————————————————————————————— Police are appealing for information to help locate Darren Inkpen who is wanted for failing to comply with the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders’ Register.
Inkpen, aged 55, was released from prison on 13 November and was due to stay at a hotel in Leeds.
But he failed to register an address and did not turn up for a probation appointment.
Officers have conducted extensive arrest enquiries in order to try and locate Inkpen and are now appealing for the public’s help.
They have released two images of Inkpen – one more recent than the other where his beard is longer.
He has connections to the Kent and Sussex area and is thought that he could possibly be in the Broadstairs area of Kent or Newhaven in Sussex.
Anyone with information which may assist to locate Darren Inkpen is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police by calling 101 or go online at https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/LiveChat quoting reference 13250661376.
Alternatively, call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
