'˜Dangerous pest' who sexually assaulted woman in Northampton jailed for 20 months

Carl Gibson, aged 29, approached a woman near Boots in the Market Square on February 10 and engaged her in conversation.

Northampton Crown Court heard the woman had never met Gibson before but he pretended they had met four years ago.

Caroline Bray, prosecuting, said Gibson asked for a “cuddle” and he then started kissing her neck.

Gibson then pushed the woman against a wall and carried on kissing her until she pushed him away and ran off.

The court heard Gibson was arrested shortly afterwards and told officers he had taken a ‘legal high’.

Ms Bray said Gibson had previously sexually assaulted women after approaching them in the street and, in November 2009, he received a jail sentence after he assaulted two teenage girls.

Gibson was on licence when he committed his latest offence as he had only been released from prison in December last year.

His Honour Judge Rupert Mayo, sentencing, said Gibson had “pestered, kissed and hugged” the woman who he said must have been in “considerable fear.”

Judge Mayo said: “This is the sort of offence you have committed in the past with victims who were younger.

“I conclude you are a dangerous pest as you have committed this offence repeatedly.”

Gibson, of Lower Meadow Court, Thorplands, Northampton, was jailed for 20 months. He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that prevents him from approaching any female that is not known to him.