MATTHEW PARKINSON – BAMBER BRIDGE, LANCASHIRE

Bamber Bridge criminal was on the run when he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old outside his tent

Matthew Lee Parkinson was sentenced to four years in prison after admitting offences against a 13-year-old girl in Bamber Bridge.

The court heard the incident took place in June 2019 in a park area where Parkinson had been staying. At the time, he was unlawfully at large after breaching the terms of his prison licence.

Prosecutors outlined how the teenager and her friend encountered Parkinson late in the evening. The situation escalated, and the victim later reported what had happened to a member of school staff, who alerted police.

Following his arrest, Parkinson initially denied the allegations. However, after forensic evidence was recovered, he admitted three counts of sexually assaulting a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The judge described the offences as serious and sustained, highlighting the significant age difference and the emotional harm caused to the victim.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Parkinson was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.