Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Wanted sex offender arrested and recalled to prison

Lancashire Constabulary had appealed for information on the whereabouts of Stephen Pennington.

Kim Pilling
Monday 02 October 2023 06:04 EDT
Sex offender Stephen Pennington, 35, has been recalled to prison (Lancashire Constabulary/PA)
Sex offender Stephen Pennington, 35, has been recalled to prison (Lancashire Constabulary/PA) (PA Media)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A wanted child sex offender has been arrested and recalled to prison.

Lancashire Constabulary had appealed for information on the whereabouts of Stephen Pennington, 35, and warned he posed a “real risk to children and women”.

Pennington 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.

Police issued the appeal after he failed to comply with licence conditions.

In a statement, Lancashire Constabulary said: “We are pleased to say that Pennington has been arrested this morning (Monday) and he will now be recalled to prison.

“We would like to thank everyone who has come forward with information over the last couple of days.

“Your extra eyes and ears really can make a massive difference to the work we do to keep you and your communities safe.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in