Brian Halfhead, a convicted paedophile sex offender with a record of perverse offences spanning over 40 years, assaulted the woman in broad daylight as she strolled through Birkenhead.
Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Monday, that the victim was walking down New Chester Road in Birkenhead, near Rock Retail Park, soon after 3 p.m. on May 31, when she observed the 68-year-old behind her. Brian Halfhead of Cross Street was claimed to have made her “uncomfortable and uneasy,” so she halted to let him pass.
Prosecutor Kevin Liston detailed how the plaintiff put on her headphones and continued walking while listening to music, only to be pulled between her legs from behind. She turned around to see the defendant, who was wearing “jeans halfway down his legs,” and said, “What the f***.”
This was alleged to have “spooked” Brian Halfhead, who fled the scene towards the Queensway Tunnel. The victim dialled 999 and described her attacker, who was later apprehended at the Fountain Project mental health treatment clinic.
She was “terrified” and “afraid to leave her own home” after the incident. The victim was even forced to wait several days before visiting the shop for supplies since she thought she couldn’t do so without the company of a buddy.
Brian Halfhead has a total of 17 prior convictions for 48 crimes. These include indecent assault and gross indecency with a child under 14 beginning in 1977, indecent attack on a kid under 16 in 1987, and sexual intercourse with a child under 16 in 1988.
Ken Heckle, defending, told the court: “It is concerning that he has revisited this, but there has been a long period of stability in his life.” He admits that the offence was sexually motivated.
“He has not committed a severe offence in the last 35 years. “This is not someone who is out of control.”
Brian Halfhead admits to sexual assault. He was sentenced for 16 months and had to join the sex offenders’ register for ten years.
Judge Robert Trevor Jones sentenced the defendant, saying, “This is not the first time you have appeared in court for sexual offences. There are historic court appearances, despite the fact that the last one occurred 35 years ago.
“It is evident that there is a sexual subtext in your actions. You are defined as having a high risk of sexual reoffending and causing substantial harm to children and females, and I have to agree with that assessment.”
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