Pensioner Jailed for Sexual Assault

A pensioner has been jailed for 16 months after sexually assaulting a woman in Birkenhead. Convicted sex offender Brian Halfhead, 68, admitted to the attack, which occurred on May 31, 2023.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the victim was walking along New Chester Road when she noticed Halfhead following her. She felt uncomfortable and stopped to let him pass, but he then grabbed her between the legs from behind.

Halfhead, who had his "jeans halfway down his legs", was described as having "spooked" when the woman shouted at him and ran away towards the Queensway Tunnel. The victim, who was left "terrified" and "afraid to leave her own home", called 999 and gave a description of her attacker.

Halfhead was later arrested at the Fountain Project mental health support centre. He has a history of sexual offenses dating back to 1977, including indecent assault and sexual intercourse with children under 16.

In court, Halfhead's defense attorney argued that he had been stable for 35 years and that the assault was an isolated incident. However, Judge Robert Trevor Jones acknowledged Halfhead's history and described him as a "high risk" of reoffending.

"This is not the first time you have come before the courts for sexual offences," said Judge Jones. "There are historic court appearances, even though the last of those was now some 35 years ago. It is quite clear that there is an undercurrent of sexual behaviour as far as you are concerned. You are described as representing a high risk of sexual reoffending and a high risk of causing serious harm to children and females, and with that assessment I must agree."