Darren Inkpen was jailed and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life in 2021 after admitting three sex attacks
Darren Inkpen(Image: West Yorkshire Police)
A paedophile who carried out sex attacks in the North East and poses a “high risk of serious harm” to children is being hunted by police. Darren Inkpen was jailed and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life in 2021 after admitting three sex attacks in the Hartlepool area.
During his sentencing at Newcastle Crown Court, he had complained that his sentence might prevent his attendance at miniature horse shows., Yorkshire Live reports. The 56-year-old, originally from Woodview Road in Leeds, was initially released in November 2025 and was due to return to Yorkshire.
He had been sent back to prison after failing to register his address with police last year. He was once again released from prison in Kent in April – but has once more failed to follow the rules and now police are hunting him again. As well as Yorkshire, Inkpen has connections with Kent and Sussex.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “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 56, was released from prison in Kent in April after being recalled to prison following a previous breach last year. He was due to relocate to the Leeds area.
“Since his release, he has failed to comply with the conditions of the sex offenders’ register. Officers have conducted extensive arrest enquiries in order to try and locate Inkpen and are now appealing for the public’s help. He has connections to the Kent and Sussex areas.”
Anyone with any information is urged to call police on 101, or report online here, quoting reference 13260257516. Alternatively, call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.