A 23-year-old man has been jailed for more than two years for the sexual assault by penetration of a woman.

Nathan McPoland, of Hibbert Road, Barrow in Furness was sentenced to two years and three months imprisonment in a sentencing hearing at Preston Crown court held yesterday (5 August 2021).

The offence occurred in the early hours of 9th March 2019.

McPoland followed a woman as she was walking through an alleyway between Cavendish Street and Slater Street in Barrow in Furness.

He pushed the woman into a doorway and subjected her to a sexual assault.

When interviewed by the Police, McPoland  denied the assault or being in the town centre at all, but entered a guilty plea when the matter came to Crown Court.

Detective Constable Matthew McFall of Cumbria Crime and Safeguarding team said: “I would like to publicly thank the complainant for coming forward to report this matter to the Police.

“I have no doubt her actions have helped safeguard others.

“In addition to McPoland being convicted by the Crown Court for a sexual assault he is also subject of the sexual offenders notification requirements and a restraining order for a period of 10 years.”