JOSHUA KARNEY, THE PREDATOR FROM BARNOLDSWICK AND HOVE, ARRESTED AGAIN AFTER POLICE BLUNDER IN EAST SUSSEX

In a startling development, one of Britain’s most wanted convicted sex offenders, Joshua Karney, was re-arrested in Hove, East Sussex, after a series of police errors that allowed him to remain at large for nearly two months. The incident highlights significant flaws in the criminal justice and law enforcement systems, raising questions about the procedures that failed to keep this dangerous individual behind bars.

Karney, aged 29 at the time of his initial arrest, was previously sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2002 following a conviction for indecent assault committed at a campsite in Lancashire. His criminal history is marked by repeated offenses involving the sexual abuse of minors, specifically a 14-year-old boy. His case has garnered considerable attention due to his high-risk classification for sexual offenses, which includes groping and attempted rape.

Initially, after his arrest, Karney was processed through the police system, fingerprinted, and held in custody. However, in a shocking oversight, he was released from detention after providing police with a false name. The authorities only realized their grave mistake three weeks later, when fingerprint analysis confirmed his identity. This revelation prompted an urgent review of the circumstances surrounding his release and the procedures that led to such a critical lapse.

On the night of his re-arrest, police in Hove detained Karney for drunken behavior, a charge that led to his immediate apprehension. It was during this arrest that officers discovered his true identity, revealing his dangerous past and high-risk status. The fact that he had been on the run since 2003, after failing to report to his probation hostel following his release, compounded the severity of the situation. His absence from supervision allowed him to evade authorities for nearly five years.

Karney’s extensive criminal record includes multiple aliases—up to five—and a history of violent and sexual offenses. His name appears on the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre’s list of Britain’s most wanted sex offenders, underscoring the threat he poses to the public. Despite his notoriety, he managed to slip through the cracks of the justice system, prompting widespread concern among law enforcement agencies and government officials.

In response to the incident, Blackburn MP and Justice Minister Jack Straw expressed his intention to seek further information from the police, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency. Lancashire Police Authority’s representative, David Whipp, also called for a thorough investigation, demanding explanations from South Yorkshire Police, who initially handled Karney’s case.

A police spokeswoman issued a statement acknowledging the mistake, stating, “We regret greatly that Joshua Karney was released from custody after he gave false details.” She explained that Karney was issued a fixed-penalty notice for a minor offense—being drunk and disorderly in Barnsley—and that an investigation is currently underway to determine how such a serious oversight occurred. The case continues to unfold as authorities work to understand the full scope of the procedural failures that allowed a dangerous offender to remain free for so long.