SHAUN TUDOR ATTACKS BOY IN RAINWORTH AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM MENTAL HEALTH UNIT
| Red Rose Database
Rainworth Rapist
In July 2011, a disturbing incident unfolded in Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, when Shaun Tudor, a man with a long history of sexual offenses against young boys, committed a heinous assault on a ten-year-old boy shortly after being granted unescorted leave from a secure mental health facility.
Shaun Tudor, aged 43 at the time, had spent a total of 23 years in various psychiatric institutions, including two spells at the high-security Rampton Hospital, which is known for treating some of the most notorious offenders, such as Beverley Allitt, Ian Huntley, and Mark Rowntree. Despite his extensive history of violent and sexual offenses, Tudor was given permission to leave the St Andrew’s Healthcare Centre in Mansfield for a two-hour period without supervision.
The attack occurred on a bright, sunny afternoon when Tudor was seen in the vicinity of the woods approximately 250 yards from the victim’s home. The young boy was playing with a friend when Tudor, who had been released from the nearby healthcare facility, approached them. Tudor claimed he was out observing nature, but then pretended to stumble and fall. When the boy went to assist him, Tudor seized the opportunity to grab the child and drag him into some nearby bushes, out of sight from his friend.
Once in the concealed area, Tudor subjected the boy to a sexual assault and even attempted to rape him. During the assault, Tudor threatened the boy, warning him that he would track him down and kill him if he ever reported what had happened. The young victim, initially too frightened to speak, returned to his friend and kept silent about the incident. However, once he arrived home, he was overwhelmed with emotion and began crying. His mother, upon seeing her son distressed, was horrified and immediately contacted the police.
Authorities responded swiftly, and Tudor was apprehended approximately eight hours later, about five miles from the scene of the attack. During his arrest, Tudor told officers, “I’ve been doing so well for the last 24 years,” revealing his awareness of his troubled past. The police investigation uncovered that Tudor had previously indecently assaulted young boys on two separate occasions, once in 1984 when he was just 16 years old, and again in 1988. The latter assault involved a seven-year-old boy and occurred while Tudor was on weekend leave from a psychiatric hospital in Birmingham.
His criminal record includes a conviction for the second assault, and he was subsequently transferred to Rampton Hospital, a facility known for housing some of the most dangerous offenders. Tudor’s time at Rampton lasted until 1995, with a subsequent return in 1998. In the months leading up to the latest attack, Tudor had been moved to the St Andrew’s Centre, a medium-to-low security mental health facility, where he was placed approximately eight months prior.
Pre-sentence reports revealed Tudor’s own admission that he would reoffend against children if released into the community, raising serious concerns about his suitability for unsupervised leave. Despite this, Tudor was granted the opportunity to leave the facility unaccompanied, a decision that drew criticism from many, including Tudor’s victim’s family.
During the court proceedings at Nottingham Crown Court, Tudor pleaded guilty to attempted rape and sexual assault. Judge John Burgess sentenced him to an indeterminate sentence for public protection, with a recommendation that he serve at least four years and ten months before being considered for release. The judge expressed skepticism about Tudor’s honesty during questioning, suggesting that Tudor had learned how to manipulate the system by providing answers that would secure his leave.
Judge Burgess emphasized that, given Tudor’s history and the failure of previous interventions, a custodial sentence was necessary. He stated that all other options had been exhausted and that Tudor’s release was unlikely in the foreseeable future.
A spokesperson for St Andrew’s Healthcare stated that the organization was committed to maintaining high standards of practice and that incidents of this nature are exceedingly rare. They also defended the decision to grant Tudor unescorted leave, citing it as clinically appropriate based on the information available at the time.
Detective Inspector Caroline Racher of Nottinghamshire Police confirmed ongoing cooperation with St Andrew’s management to prevent any recurrence of such a tragic event, reaffirming the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case and the safety of the community.
Shaun Tudor, aged 43 at the time, had spent a total of 23 years in various psychiatric institutions, including two spells at the high-security Rampton Hospital, which is known for treating some of the most notorious offenders, such as Beverley Allitt, Ian Huntley, and Mark Rowntree. Despite his extensive history of violent and sexual offenses, Tudor was given permission to leave the St Andrew’s Healthcare Centre in Mansfield for a two-hour period without supervision.
The attack occurred on a bright, sunny afternoon when Tudor was seen in the vicinity of the woods approximately 250 yards from the victim’s home. The young boy was playing with a friend when Tudor, who had been released from the nearby healthcare facility, approached them. Tudor claimed he was out observing nature, but then pretended to stumble and fall. When the boy went to assist him, Tudor seized the opportunity to grab the child and drag him into some nearby bushes, out of sight from his friend.
Once in the concealed area, Tudor subjected the boy to a sexual assault and even attempted to rape him. During the assault, Tudor threatened the boy, warning him that he would track him down and kill him if he ever reported what had happened. The young victim, initially too frightened to speak, returned to his friend and kept silent about the incident. However, once he arrived home, he was overwhelmed with emotion and began crying. His mother, upon seeing her son distressed, was horrified and immediately contacted the police.
Authorities responded swiftly, and Tudor was apprehended approximately eight hours later, about five miles from the scene of the attack. During his arrest, Tudor told officers, “I’ve been doing so well for the last 24 years,” revealing his awareness of his troubled past. The police investigation uncovered that Tudor had previously indecently assaulted young boys on two separate occasions, once in 1984 when he was just 16 years old, and again in 1988. The latter assault involved a seven-year-old boy and occurred while Tudor was on weekend leave from a psychiatric hospital in Birmingham.
His criminal record includes a conviction for the second assault, and he was subsequently transferred to Rampton Hospital, a facility known for housing some of the most dangerous offenders. Tudor’s time at Rampton lasted until 1995, with a subsequent return in 1998. In the months leading up to the latest attack, Tudor had been moved to the St Andrew’s Centre, a medium-to-low security mental health facility, where he was placed approximately eight months prior.
Pre-sentence reports revealed Tudor’s own admission that he would reoffend against children if released into the community, raising serious concerns about his suitability for unsupervised leave. Despite this, Tudor was granted the opportunity to leave the facility unaccompanied, a decision that drew criticism from many, including Tudor’s victim’s family.
During the court proceedings at Nottingham Crown Court, Tudor pleaded guilty to attempted rape and sexual assault. Judge John Burgess sentenced him to an indeterminate sentence for public protection, with a recommendation that he serve at least four years and ten months before being considered for release. The judge expressed skepticism about Tudor’s honesty during questioning, suggesting that Tudor had learned how to manipulate the system by providing answers that would secure his leave.
Judge Burgess emphasized that, given Tudor’s history and the failure of previous interventions, a custodial sentence was necessary. He stated that all other options had been exhausted and that Tudor’s release was unlikely in the foreseeable future.
A spokesperson for St Andrew’s Healthcare stated that the organization was committed to maintaining high standards of practice and that incidents of this nature are exceedingly rare. They also defended the decision to grant Tudor unescorted leave, citing it as clinically appropriate based on the information available at the time.
Detective Inspector Caroline Racher of Nottinghamshire Police confirmed ongoing cooperation with St Andrew’s management to prevent any recurrence of such a tragic event, reaffirming the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case and the safety of the community.