Police manhunt for missing double rapist, 36, who was freed from his life sentence last year

Police have launched an urgent manhunt for a missing double rapist who was freed from his life sentence last year for drug-fuelled pensioner sex attacks.

Lee Michaels – who also goes by the name of Lee Beazley – was released on licence in June last year after serving part of a sentence for a serious sexual offence.   

The 36-year-old is now wanted on recall by West Yorkshire Police after breaching the terms of his release and detectives are appealing for any information on his whereabouts.

He is described as being about five feet nine inches tall and of a slim build. Michaels speaks with a North East accent and has ‘Lee’ tattooed on his right arm and a Bulldog tattooed on his back.

He is believed to be of no fixed abode – but has links to the WF1 area of Wakefield. It is also possible he may be sleeping rough in a ’12 plate black Ford Fiesta.

Michaels broke into a 65-year-old woman’s home in Marton, Middlesbrough in September 2005 and repeatedly raped her while high on drugs alongside a second man, named David Humphrey.

Lee Michaels (pictured)  – who also goes by the name of Lee Beazley – was released on licence in June last year after serving part of a sentence for a serious sexual offence

The pair, both 19 at the time of the incident, had drank a large quantity of alcohol, smoked cannabis and taken heroin substitute tablets before breaking into the pensioner’s home armed with a knife and screwdriver.

They repeatedly beat and raped the grandmother at her home before stealing cash, jewellery and a mobile phone.  

At a hearing, each admitted three joint charges – two of rape and one of aggravated burglary. Humphrey admitted a third rape charge. 

The judge at Teesside Crown Court said the ‘wicked’ pair must serve at least six years behind bars.

 Sentencing the pair Judge Peter Fox QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, told them: ‘Your offending against this lady and in her home ranks amongst the worst crimes ever committed in Teesside.

‘Obsessed by greed, lust and cruelty, you subjected her to a terrible ordeal, one of shocking and painful humiliation in her own home which you went on to plunder, ransack and defile.’

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Michaels broke into a 65-year-old woman’s home in Marton, Middlesbrough in September 2005 (Pictured: Michaels aged 19) and repeatedly raped her while high on drugs alongside a second man, named David Humphrey

He added: ‘This court can do nothing to repair the dreadful harm you perpetrated that night.

‘It can only punish you according to law and within the law seek to protect others from your wicked natures.’

He added: ‘Despite your acting without any vestige of humanity towards your victim, the law remains humane.

‘Many in your case would say unduly so. It is not for me to comment.’ 

The pair appealed their sentence but failed to get them overturned.

Mrs Justice Gloster, sitting with Lord Justice Latham and Mr Justice Henriques at the Appeal Court in London, dismissed the argument they were ‘manifestly excessive’. 

Enquiries are continuing to locate Michaels and anyone who can assist in locating him is asked to contact police at Wakefield on 101 or by using the LiveChat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website.