An appeal will be made on the BBC’s ‘Crimewatch UK’ programme tonight (Monday March 6) to trace a convicted sex offender who has been on the run for several months.
In November last year at Durham Crown Court, Lisa Hauxwell, 48, was sentenced in her absence to 14 years in prison for a number sexual assaults, which took place in the Newton Aycliffe area in 2001 and 2002.
Hauxwell, who was born in Darlington and still has links to the town, had been charged with the offences in 2015 under the name Craig John Hauxwell. The 48-year-old could possibly still be living as a man.
Her last known address was in Leeds but there has been no record of her at that property for many months. Despite extensive enquiries since then police have been unable to trace Hauxwell so she can begin serving her sentence.
On tonight’s Crimewatch programme, which starts on BBC1 at 9pm photos showing Hauxwell as both male and female will be shown in its ‘Wanted Faces’ segment in a bid to bring her to justice.
Hauxwell speaks with a stutter and when last seen on CCTV in the West Yorkshire area last year she had bleached blonde, shoulder length hair.
“We have carried out exhaustive enquiries to trace Lisa Hauxwell and these are continuing,” said Det Insp Yvonne Dutson.
“There has been no activity on her bank account for several months, no record of any dealings with agencies such as the DWP or HMRC and no confirmed sightings of her since she was recorded on a security camera at a petrol station in Dronfield, Derbyshire in April 2016.
“Hauxwell was convicted of two rapes and seven indecent assaults, which were truly horrendous crimes.
“We hope the appeal on Crimewatch will bring new information which ultimately will result in her being locked up and sent to prison to begin her sentence.”
An incident room – tel 0191 375 2550 – will be staffed during the programme in case anyone rings in with information following the appeal on Crimewatch.
After tonight any other calls relating to Lisa Hauxwell’s whereabouts can be reported to police on the usual non-emergency number, 101.