Police hunting sex offender who is ‘real risk to children and women’

Stephen Pennington, 35, is wanted by Lancashire Constabulary after failing to comply with licence conditions and being recalled to prison.

(Dave Thompson/PA) (PA Archive)

Police have appealed for information on the whereabouts of a sex offender who “presents a real risk to children and women”.

Stephen Pennington, 35, is wanted by Lancashire Constabulary after failing to comply with licence conditions and being recalled to prison, the force said.

The registered sex offender was jailed in 2009 for the rape of a child and again last year for breaches of a sexual harm prevention order and notification requirements.

The force described him as “white, slim and around 6ft tall” with “short, balding dark brown hair”.

It said he has links to Blackburn, Blackpool and Wigan.

Detective Constable Stewart Marshall, from the Mosovo (Management of Sexual or Violent Offenders) Team at West Division, said: “Pennington is a high-risk sex offender who presents a real risk to children and women and I would appeal to anyone who sees him or knows where he could be to get in touch.”

Police urged people to call 999 with any immediate sightings and asked anyone who sees him or knows where he is to contact 01253 604019 or email mosovowest@lancashire.police.uk.