Police launch urgent manhunt for on-the-run convicted child rapist Stephen Pennington who is ‘a real risk to children and women’

A manhunt is underway for a convicted child rapist who police say ‘presents a real risk to children and women’.

Lancashire Police launched the urgent search for Stephen Pennington, 35, after he failed to comply with his licence conditions.

Police said the convicted child rapist is a ‘high-risk sex offender’ and is being recalled to prison. He has links to Blackburn, Blackpool and Wigan.

Pennington is a registered sex offender who was jailed in 2009 for the rape of a child.

Last year he was again jailed for breaches of a sexual harm prevention order and notification requirements.

Police said the convicted child rapist is white, slim and around 6ft tall. He has short balding dark brown hair. 

Lancashire Police released two images of Pennington – including one taken from CCTV footage – in a bit to find him. 

Det Con 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.’

After Pennington was jailed in 2009 for raping a child, he was handed a sexual harm prevention order, restricting him from contacting or engaging with a child under the age of 18.

However, between September and December 2021, Pennington was in a relationship with a woman, and subsequently was in contact with her children, The Lancashire Telegraph reported at the time.

He also gave a fake name to the woman, calling himself Stephen Johnson, a name not registered with police. He was subsequently ruled to have breached his sexual harm prevention order. 

Police have urged anyone who sees him or knows where he is to contact 01253 604019 or email mosovowest@lancashire.police.uk.

For any immediate sightings the public is urged to call 999.