BOBBY BARCLAY SENTENCED AFTER SHOCKING SEX OFFENCES IN GATESHEAD AND NEWCASTLE
A notorious offender, Bobby Barclay, has been returned to prison following a series of brutal sexual assaults on two women in the Newcastle and Gateshead area.The series of events unfolded on a single night, revealing a disturbing pattern of violence and criminal behavior.
The 25-year-old, who initially gained notoriety for his violent crimes as a juvenile, was involved in a harrowing series of incidents in June 2015.
At just 17 years of age, Barclay committed two separate and severe sex offences in Newcastle.
The first of these offenses involved an attack on a 52-year-old woman who was found unconscious in a back alley located in Gosforth.
Witnesses described her as being unable to recall the assault, having been discovered lying on the ground by two passersby, raising questions about whether she was physically assaulted or simply rendered unconscious due to another cause.
Prosecutors indicated that it was unclear whether Barclay had physically taken her to the ground or if he had assaulted her after she was rendered unconscious.
Following this incident, Barclay's criminal actions did not cease.
Less than two hours later, he targeted a young woman, aged 25, who was walking out of the Newcastle city centre after a night out.
Witnesses reported seeing him following her as she headed towards Exhibition Park.
The woman, attempting to escape, took a taxi and reached the park’s entrance, where she was brutally attacked.
She initially tried to negotiate with Barclay by offering him money, hoping to persuade him to leave her alone, but her efforts were met with continued aggression.
The taxi driver who had been attempting to alert authorities spotted Barclay lurking in the shadows near the park as the woman entered Exhibition Park off Claremont Road.
Hiding in bushes, Barclay attempted to evade arrest, prompting the driver to call police.
The attack itself was violent and traumatic, culminating in Barclay forcibly raping the woman inside the park.
This assault, perpetrated under the influence of alcohol and legal highs, compounded his earlier offenses.
The gravity of Barclay's crimes was recognized in court, where he pleaded guilty to charges including rape, sexual assault, and theft.
He was subsequently sentenced to a term of seven years and three months imprisonment at a young offender institution, with an extended license condition until 2028.
In addition to his incarceration, Barclay was subject to strict supervision and notification requirements, including registering his mobile phones with authorities.
Despite these conditions, authorities discovered that Barclay disregarded his legal obligations.
In January of this year, during a police visit, officers seized a new mobile device he had been using.
This device was linked to TikTok under the alias 'Bobbybarc' and Snapchat accounts under the username 'Bobby_B22815'.
Prosecutor Jenny Hague pointed out that neither account had been registered with the police as required, raising concerns over compliance with his post-release conditions.
Further investigation revealed that Barclay, who was then living without a fixed address, had been attempting to evade detection.
When officers approached him, he was preparing to leave the scene, evidently believing he was about to be recalled by probation authorities.
This behavior led to charges of breaching his notification requirements.
Barclay’s solicitor, Gary Wood, acknowledged these breaches, asserting that Barclay’s actions were neither particularly sophisticated nor discreet.
Mr.
Wood explained that there was no indication of any sinister intent beyond the violations of the registration rules.
The court, presided over by Recorder Aisha Wadoodi, was informed that Barclay had previously received a significant sentence for his sexual offenses back in 2015.
She emphasized that Barclay was aware of the conditions attached to his release, especially noting that he had registered his phone which indicated some level of understanding of his legal obligations.
Concluding the hearing, Barclay was sentenced to an additional 12 months of imprisonment for the breaches, with the judge underscoring the seriousness of his criminal record and the violent nature of his past conduct.
This series of crimes and subsequent violations highlight the ongoing concerns surrounding Barclay’s case.
His initial assault on the 52-year-old in Gosforth and the subsequent attack on the 25-year-old in Newcastle served as stark reminders of his capacity for violence.
These incidents remain a sobering example of the persistent threat posed by violent sex offenders who are released under supervision, emphasizing the importance of thorough monitoring and swift judicial response to violations of parole and notification protocols.
