EGREMONT MAN KEVIN MCTAGGART JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON SCHOOLGIRLS IN WEST CUMBRIA

In a serious case that has shocked the community of Egremont and the wider West Cumbria area, Kevin McTaggart, a 28-year-old man from Egremont, has been sentenced to prison following his involvement in two separate sexual assault incidents involving schoolgirls. The court proceedings, held at Carlisle Crown Court, revealed disturbing details about McTaggart’s actions and the impact they have had on his victims.

According to the court, McTaggart admitted to sexually touching a young girl without her consent during an incident that took place in January 2020. The court heard that the assault occurred while McTaggart was under the influence of alcohol, which he used as a mitigating factor but did not excuse his behavior. The judge, Nicholas Barker, described the incident as particularly heinous, emphasizing the breach of trust and the trauma inflicted upon the young victim.

Furthermore, it was revealed that McTaggart had a history of similar offences, with records indicating that he committed a comparable sexual assault against another schoolgirl back in 2015. This pattern of behaviour was a significant factor in the court’s decision to impose a lengthy period of registration and supervision.

During the hearing conducted via video link, prosecutor Neil Bisarya detailed the distress caused to the victim, who was left deeply traumatised by the incident. The court was shown a victim personal statement in which the girl expressed her feelings of fear and vulnerability following the assault. She stated, “Following the assault, I felt intimidated, scared of going out and I’m very wary when I see men. I don’t feel any more than I can trust men other than my close family. He made me feel vulnerable.”

The court also heard that McTaggart’s criminal record includes a total of 76 offences, highlighting a long history of criminal behaviour. His address was noted as South Street, Egremont, and the court did not hold back in condemning his actions. Judge Barker described McTaggart’s conduct as disgraceful, stating, “You were drunk, you were crude, and you were abusive.”

In addition to the nine-month prison sentence, McTaggart was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years. The judge also imposed a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, aimed at preventing any future offences and protecting the community from further harm. The case underscores the importance of justice for victims and the ongoing efforts to monitor and rehabilitate offenders involved in sexual crimes within the West Cumbria region.