Sexually assaulted two women and then forged a letter purporting to be from one victim claiming he was innocent.

Man Jailed for Sexual Assault and Forging Evidence

A man who sexually assaulted two women and then forged a letter purporting to be from one victim claiming he was innocent has been jailed.

Anthony Kirkbright, 54, of no fixed address, sent the letter to a police station while on remand for the sex attacks in Accrington and Blackburn, Lancashire Police said. However, the letter had a postage stamp from HMP Altcourse, where he was being held.

Kirkbright was jailed for four years at Preston Crown Court after admitting the assaults.

Police said Kirkbright harassed and sexually assaulted a vulnerable woman at Accrington bus station in June 2020. While on bail, he then attacked a second victim after being invited back to her home in Blackburn in June 2021.

'Grotesque behaviour'

After Kirkbright was arrested, charged, and held on remand, he sent a letter to Greenbank police station in Blackburn purporting to be from his second victim. However, the postage stamp revealed his deception.

Kirkbright pleaded guilty to two sexual assaults, attempting to pervert the course of justice, and breaching a sexual harm prevention order. He had previously been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Det Con Tom Dawson said: "I am pleased with the sentence and that the courts have imposed orders which will restrict Kirkbright's association with women when he is released. Like the judge in this case, I believe Kirkbright is a danger to women and I am pleased the public have some respite from his grotesque behaviour."