DAVID Lammy is under pressure to launch an investigation after a convicted rapist attacked another woman while out of prison on unsupervised day release.
Neil Trennan, 61, was serving two life sentences for violent and sexually motivated attacks when he was allowed out to enjoy a sunny day in July last year.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy arriving for a Cabinet meeting in Downing StreetCredit: PA
Neil Trennan, 61, was handed his third life sentence for assaulting a student while on unsupervised day release from HMP North Sea Camp in LincolnshireCredit: Lincolnshire Police
He travelled to Sheffield where he snuck into a 19 year-old woman’s home with a knife and wrestled her to the floor with the intention of raping her.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, managed to knock the knife out of his hand and raise the alarm causing him to flee.
But justice chiefs have been slammed for putting Trennan in an open prison, HMP North Sea Camp, and letting him out unsupervised given his history of “sexual depravity”.
Tory shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy has written to Mr Lammy demanding action over the “terrible decisions”.
Judge Jeremy Richardson – who sentenced Trennan to a third life jail term for the latest attack – also called for an investigation into what he thought was a grave “mistake”
Mr Timothy said: “The prison system failed in its first duty to protect the public.
“Somebody must answer for the terrible decisions that allowed this monster to attack a vulnerable young woman.
“There are people too dangerous to ever be released from prison. We must keep them locked up to protect the public.
“An investigation is urgently needed to hold the right people to account and ensure this does not happen again.”
Predator Trennan was first sentenced to life behind bars in 1990 after he struck a young woman with a dumb-bell and raped her while she was unconscious.
He was given day release in 2002 when he escaped his accompanying prison officer and struck again.
He sneaked into Norwich College where he attacked a young woman with a brick in the ladies loos in a sexually motivated attack. A judge gave him a second life sentence.
But despite admitting he was sexually turned on by being violent towards women, the Parole Board moved him to the open prison in December 2023.
On July 10 2025, Trennan was allowed out for day release and carried out his latest attack.
Sentencing him earlier this year, Judge Richardson slammed the decision to move the rapist to an open prison.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy is facing calls to investigate why the convicted rapist was let out on day releaseCredit: PA
Speaking at Sheffield Crown Court, he said: “It is plain you are a sexual deviant who derives enjoyment from sexual violence which heightens your arousal.
“It is against this backdrop of an obvious risk of serious harm and posing a massive danger to women it was an extremely surprising, and potentially wrong, decision that you were transferred to open prison conditions at HMP North Sea Camp.
“I have been given no adequate explanation why this decision was made and this is something which the Lord Chancellor may wish to investigate.
“I sincerely hope so. A mistake was, in my judgment, made. I trust it will never be made again.
“It is astonishing to me that you were permitted to leave the prison in Lincolnshire on an unsupervised basis simply trusting that you would return.”
He added: “No woman is safe whilst you remain at large.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “These were horrendous crimes and our heartfelt sympathies remain with all the victims affected. Neil Trennan has rightly received the full weight of the law for his actions.
“Protecting the public and victim safety is always our priority and transfers to open conditions are operational decisions put forward by the independent Parole Board, and after careful consideration, officials could find no clear grounds to reject this recommendation.
“We have not yet received the Judge’s sentencing remarks, however when we do, we will closely review the judge’s comments to understand exactly what happened and to identify whether any procedures relating to this specific case need strengthening.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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