KEVIN BARNEY, TADLEY SEXUAL PREDATOR, JAILED FOR ASSAULT IN BASINGSTOKE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Kevin Barney, a man with a troubling history of sexual offenses, has been convicted and sentenced to prison for a serious sexual assault that took place in Basingstoke. Barney, aged 56 and residing on Monkswood Crescent in Tadley, was found guilty of luring a vulnerable young man into his vehicle and assaulting him while he was under the influence of alcohol.

The incident occurred late at night in November of the previous year, when Barney was seen driving into Basingstoke town centre. The court was told that Barney was actively seeking out a young male who appeared to be in a compromised state, specifically targeting someone who was waiting at the railway station for a taxi. The victim, a young man, was approached by Barney at the station, where he was waiting for transportation.

According to court proceedings, Barney, who has a prior conviction for raping a schoolboy and a caution for indecent assault on another man, engaged in manipulative behavior to facilitate the assault. He turned on the car’s heating system to make his passenger feel drowsy, and when the victim dozed off, Barney reclined his seat and proceeded to sexually assault him. The assault involved touching and kissing over clothing, and only ceased when the victim awoke to realize what was happening. Barney then drove the young man home, where the victim confided in his mother about the attack. The victim was able to provide police with Barney’s vehicle registration details, which proved crucial in the investigation.

Prosecutor Simon Jones highlighted the lasting impact of the assault on the victim, noting that he continues to suffer from flashbacks and that his relationship with his girlfriend has been affected. The court heard that Barney’s actions demonstrated a pattern of predatory behavior, with the assessment by probation officers indicating that he poses a “significant risk” to the public.

During the hearing, Barney’s defense lawyer, Maria Lamb, argued that her client had taken the victim home rather than leaving him in an unfamiliar or potentially dangerous area. She acknowledged the impact on the victim but emphasized that Barney’s actions involved only kissing and touching over clothing, which she described as less severe compared to other sexual offenses. Despite this, the judge, Susan Evans, was clear in her assessment of Barney’s risk to society.

It was revealed that Barney has a lengthy criminal history. He was previously sentenced to five years in prison for the rape of a schoolboy in 2005, an offense committed after luring the victim from Reading town centre to his home. Barney was released in 2008 but was recalled to prison two years later due to concerns over his associations with other individuals, including young men. Additionally, in 2002, Barney was cautioned for a sexual assault on a drunk soldier whom he had offered a lift from Reading. The soldier awoke to find himself in Barney’s bed, having been assaulted.

In delivering her sentence, Judge Evans expressed her firm stance on Barney’s dangerousness. She sentenced him to six years in prison, with an immediate custodial term of two years followed by four years on license. Barney will also be registered as a sex offender for life. The judge emphasized that Barney’s pattern of offending and the nature of his latest crime marked him as a significant threat to public safety.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Rod Kenny of Basingstoke CID commented on the case, stating, “The victim in this case was a young man who was vulnerable due to the fact he had been consuming alcohol. Mr Barney portrayed himself as a Good Samaritan by offering him a lift home and abused the trust he had placed in him by assaulting him whilst he slept. Having been subject to the assault, it took great courage for the victim to come forward to the police and make a complaint. In passing sentence, Judge Evans stepped outside of the guidelines for this offence owing to the risk she felt Mr Barney posed to members of the public, describing him as a sexual predator. This is clearly reflected in the six-year sentence.”