BARROW MAN JAILED FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH SEX OFFENDERS REGISTER
08/02/2025 Peter Penman, of Keppel Street, was sentenced at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on January 23 after previously pleading guilty to one count of sexually assault on a female aged 16 or over on an earlier occasion.The 33-year-old admitted he committed the offence in Barrow on June 20 last year by intentionally touching a woman when she did not consent.
Court records show Penman was subject to a community order at the time of the offence.
He was also sentenced for stealing various meat items valued at £111.04 from Aldi on Risedale Road on September 24 last year, as well as ‘multiple grocery items’ costing £45.10 from Co-Op on Ainslie Street on December 24.
Magistrates said the sexual assault was committed against ‘a person working in the community’.
They said the offences were ‘so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified’, and added how the defendant had shown a ‘flagrant disregard for court orders’.
As a result, they jailed the Penman for 19 weeks and ordered that he pay £200 in compensation to the victim.
Penman is also now required to register with the police for the next seven years.
No order for court costs were made.
August 2025 A SEX offender ‘living a chaotic lifestyle’ has been sentenced for failing to comply with his notification requirements.
Peter Penman, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to three counts of the offence at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on August 18.
Lee Dacre, prosecuting, said the 34-year-old had a duty to register his address with police within three days of being released from prison.
The court heard the defendant failed to report this to his offender manager DC Chadwick in Barrow on June 8 this year.
Mr Dacre said Penman then failed to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders register after he did not tell police in Barrow that he was of no fixed address after seven days on both June 18 and June 25 this year.
Penman was jailed for 19 weeks earlier this year in February for sexually assaulting a woman working in the community.
He committed the offence in Barrow on June 20 last year by intentionally touching a woman when she did not consent.
As a result of the conviction, Penman was required to register with the police for the next seven years.
In mitigation, defence solicitor Michael Graham said: “He was recalled and released as a result of failed appointments.
“In those circumstances, he has a chaotic lifestyle and is currently living in a tent.
He is now back on track.” Deputy District Judge Andrew Teate fined the defendant £200 for the offence.
Before passing sentence, he told the defendant: “I imagine you do not have a filing system.
If you do not comply, you will find yourself back in court.
I accept you are turning your life around.” Penman was also told to pay £85 in court costs and a £180 victim surcharge.
