BARRY KERSHAW

MIDDLEWICH MAN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED OTHERS IN SUPPORTED LIVING

A SERIAL sex offender sexually assaulted two young men at a supported living setting in a Cheshire town, a court has heard.

Chester Crown Court has heard how he sexually assaulted both of the men for the first time on Monday, December 8, then one of the men for the second time on Friday, December 12.

Prosecuting, Amy Edwards said he squeezed and stroked one of them on the back and the bottom, and one of them on the crotch area, in one instance for a period of up to 10 minutes.

Ms Edwards said: "[One victim] says he is anxious when he is alone.

He is struggling to sleep and he is more reliant on others than before." Kershaw was only one month into a suspended sentence for the sexual assault of staff members at the same supported living setting.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault a few days after the incidents during his first appearance at Chester Magistrates Court.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of common assault and one count of criminal damage for another incident in which he threw a staff member's mug at a wall.

Mitigating, Shannon English said he had not had the time to do any of the rehabilitation activity requirement which was a part of the previous suspended sentence.

Ms English added: "The victims are vulnerable but he is also vulnerable so I do not think it is a targeted offence." On Thursday, April 2, Kershaw was sentenced to a year and a half in prison by Judge Patrick Thompson.

Upon release he will be subject to the requirements of the sex offender register for a period of 10 years.

Judge Thompson said: "They were vulnerable, that is why they were there, and you took advantage of them."