NEWBURY CANAL TOWPATH SEX OFFENDER, FINTAN BURKE, DEEMED ‘HIGH RISK’ TO PUBLIC
A JUDGE has ordered a sex offender to remain locked up while he is re-evaluated for risk to the public.Fintan Burke, from Newbury, horrified witnesses by committing a sex act in full view on the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal, alongside Toomers Wharf in the town.
The incident last July involved one woman in her 60s ending up in the water.
The 35-year-old, latterly of no fixed address, also falls to be sentenced for assaulting emergency workers and racially aggravated public order offences.
He is pictured in a custody photo taken by Thames Valley Police in 2017 before he was jailed for an offence of assault causing grievous bodily harm.
Burke has also previously been jailed for similar offences of outraging public decency and indecent exposure.
He was due to appear for sentencing at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, January 8.
But Burke, who had been remanded in custody since his arrest last July, refused to participate via video link.
The court was informed that Burke was deemed a "high risk" to the public, with concerns about his mental health possibly deteriorating since his last assessment three months prior.
The judge decided not to proceed with sentencing until an updated psychiatric report could be obtained.
She adjourned the case to February 5 and remanded Burke into custody.
