Police escort convicted child sex offender from seacroft home as furious crowd gathers

A convicted child sex offender has been moved from a home in Leeds after a large, angry crowd gathered outside his property over the weekend.

Tensions boiled over on Ramshead Drive in Seacroft when local residents discovered that Desmond Newton, 63, had moved into their community. 

Newton was officially added to the UK sex offenders register following his conviction at Leeds Crown Court in August 2017. He was found guilty of attempting to meet a child following an online grooming operation, after being caught by an online child protection decoy team. At the time of his initial arrest, police investigators discovered children’s clothing hidden under his bed. 

As a registered child sex offender, Newton’s housing, movement, and employment are legally monitored under the Multi-agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) (www.mappa.justice.gov.uk)  by the police and probation services. While the UK public cannot access the full sex offenders register, families frequently utilise official channels like Sarah’s Law (the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme) to verify individuals in their local area.  

Tensions Boil Over 

Word of Newton’s presence spread rapidly through the local community, culminating in an impromptu demonstration outside the address. 

Eyewitnesses reported that between 80 and 90 people gathered on the street, shouting for the occupant to leave. The atmosphere grew increasingly hostile as some individuals targeted the property, resulting in minor damage to the building’s exterior. 

Police Intervene 

West Yorkshire Police deployed multiple units to the scene to manage the growing crowd and prevent further disorder. Following a tense standoff, officers entered the property and safely escorted Newton and his partner out of the address and into a waiting police vehicle. 

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police confirmed that officers attended the scene on Ramshead Drive following reports of a large gathering and criminal damage. 

“Officers attended to ensure public safety and disperse the crowd,” the statement read. “The occupants of the property were safely removed from the address. Enquiries into the reports of criminal damage are ongoing.” 

The police have urged members of the public not to take the law into their own hands, reminding the community that robust management protocols remain in place for monitored individuals. Newton has been relocated to an undisclosed location outside the immediate area, though subsequent community updates suggest he may still reside within the wider Leeds jurisdiction.  

For further information and support, follow the links below:  

Official GOV.UK Guidance Pages 

• Public Guidance & Information: Read the overview on how the scheme lets you Find Out if a Person Has a Record for Child Sexual Offences on GOV.UK.  

• Statutory & Implementation Publications: Access the official policy documents and toolkits on the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme Guidance Page on GOV.UK.  

 Online Police Application Platforms 

• National Police Portal: Learn how to use existing police powers to request information on the Sarah’s Law Information Page on Police.uk.  

• Local Regional Service: If you are publishing for the Leeds area, applications can be initiated directly via the local West Yorkshire Police Sarah’s Law Hub.