A MAN has been jailed and prohibited from entering the county upon his release.

David McKeown, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a female over 16 and stalking involving serious alarm or distress during a trial earlier this year where a jury acquitted him of orally raping a woman over the age of 16.

He was remanded into custody and was sentenced on December 4 at Preston Crown Court.

Prosecutor Barbara Webster said the defendant, who identified himself as ‘Dave’, first attempted to befriend a woman while she was on a walk in Barrow-in-Furness.

After around 30 minutes he then got hold of her arm to try and get her to go into the bushes where he then kissed her and tried to put his tongue into her mouth, the court heard.

Mrs Webster said: “When she made her way home, he started to follow her all the way to the town centre.”

“A few days later, she was out shopping and as she turned around, she was shocked to see the defendant was there. He then followed her to her home address.

“Ever since that interaction, he would wait outside of her house, lick her windows, and knock on the windows to get her attention.”

McKeown would continue to stalk the woman between August 2022 and October 2022.

On another occasion, the court heard how the defendant tried to kiss her arm when she went to shut the window after he had asked her if she wanted to go for a walk.

“When his advances were declined, he became obsessed with her," Mrs Webster added. 

"She became the target of unwanted attention from him."

The court heard McKeown was on extended licence at the time of the offences for two counts of rape and for inflicting grievous bodily harm - both dating back to 2005.

READ MORE HERE: Rapist will get ‘many years’ prison

Sentencing the defendant to 32 months imprisonment with an extended period of 60 months giving a total of seven years and eight months, His Honour Judge Richard Archer said: “I have no doubt that she has suffered serious psychological harm because of your actions.

“She cannot sleep as a result of her experiences, and she now does not go out much.

“It was a persistent action by you over a prolonged period. There is a very significant risk of further specified offences.

"I feel an extended licence period is necessary to protect the public.”

McKeown was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for ten years, which prohibits him from entering Cumbria, and is also now subject to notification requirements for life.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Stewart Glendinning said: “I hope today’s sentencing brings some closure for the victim.

“We understand it can be incredibly difficult for victims of sexual assaults to come forward and talk about what happened to them. Any reports we receive are taken seriously and dealt with professionally and sensitively.

“I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to contact police so that our officers can investigate. You will be supported throughout our investigation and put in contact with the appropriate support service.”