KNOTTINGLEY MAN JAILED FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING WOMAN AFTER STALKING ANOTHER
A despicable sexual predator who left his victim traumatised was seen stalking another woman on the morning of the attack.CCTV footage showed Thomas Joshua Bird driving into Fairburn, Selby on June 18 in 2020, passing a lone woman and then parking near to the nature reserve.
The 30-year-old from Knottingley can be seen changing into dark clothing before he follows the woman on foot.
Detectives were able to trace this woman and discovered that she had stopped to speak to a fisherman by the Ings.
It is believed that Bird may have intended to attack her but was disturbed by the fisherman’s presence.
Instead, he returned to his car and changed out of the dark clothing.
He then drove away towards the scene of the attack where he again changed clothing.
Another woman in her 60s, who was walking alone beside the A1246 between Fairburn and Holyrood Lane was then approached by Bird, pulled to the ground and sexually assaulted.
The attack has had a devastating impact on the victim, who said that she has recurring nightmares and flashbacks.
"Words cannot truly express the massive impact this has had on my life and the lives of my loved ones.
I am left devastated by the attack and I do not recognise myself anymore," she said in a statement.
"At times I do not even like the person I have become.
I feel guilty about the upset this has caused my extended family, even though I have done nothing wrong.
I was merely going for my regular walk on what appeared to be an ordinary day.
Little did I know it would turn out to be the worst day of my life," she added.
Bird was jailed for 12 years with an extended six years on licence on January 15 at York Crown Court.
He was found guilty of two counts of attempted sexual assault, sexual assault, and failing to provide the police with the PIN to access his phone during the investigation.
Following the trial in November, sentencing was adjourned to allow time for the Probation Service to fully assess the risk Bird posed to the public.
Based on this report, the judge handed him an extended sentence.
Bird has also been made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the register of sex offenders.
Bird made no comment throughout the investigation and he did not give evidence at the trial to dispute the findings of the investigation team.
