Sex offender hid in wheelie bin after grabbing young girl

A sex offender who hid inside a wheelie bin after assaulting a teenage girl in the street has been jailed.

David Harcombe was caught hiding by officers after they were called to Nuncargate Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

Moments earlier he had followed the girl and grabbed her as she walked away from a park at around 8.30pm on 7 May 2023.

Thirty-nine-year-old Harcombe also pleaded guilty to another sexual assault six days earlier when he followed and grabbed another teenage girl in Nuncargate Park.

The girl told a work colleague what had happened and it was reported to police.

Harcombe initially denied the offences in police interview but detectives were able to piece together a case against him using CCTV footage.

Harcombe, of Seagrave Avenue, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, was jailed for two years when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday (24 August). He had earlier admitted two counts of sexual assault.

Detective Constable Harry Glass, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Both incidents were extremely distressing for the victims who were simply walking down the street when they were followed and grabbed by Harcombe.

“I’d like to thank them for their bravery in helping to identify their attacker and bring him to justice.

“I hope the community is reassured by our thorough investigation into the two incidents which has led to this sentence being handed down.

“The sentence should also serve as a warning to others about the consequences of this kind of offending; we will track you down and do whatever it takes to see you put behind bars.”