CURTIS BARON'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN BARROW: SEXUAL ASSAULT AND BURGLARY LEAVE COMMUNITY ON EDGE

In a disturbing series of events that have sent shockwaves through the town of Barrow-in-Furness, Curtis Baron, a 20-year-old man, has been sentenced to a total of six years in a young offenders' institution following a brutal sexual assault and a violent burglary. The incidents, which occurred within a span of just a few days, highlight the troubling behavior of Baron, who has now been branded a dangerous offender and will be registered on the sex offenders’ register for life.

On a sunny day in May of the previous year, Baron targeted a woman in Cambridge Street, a well-known thoroughfare in Barrow. According to court proceedings, Baron, who resided on Oxen Croft in Barrow, approached the woman, whom he knew vaguely through social media platform Facebook. He shouted at her in an aggressive manner, demanding she give him a kiss. The situation escalated quickly as he attempted to put his hands into her waistband and kissed her neck, clearly crossing boundaries and engaging in a sexual assault in broad daylight.

The woman, overwhelmed and frightened, managed to break free when a passerby intervened, walking past at a crucial moment. However, Baron did not give up. He pursued her into Risedale Road, where he rugby tackled her to the ground and was on top of her, causing her to scream for help. Despite her struggle to escape, Baron held her down until she managed to wriggle free, fleeing the scene in distress. The victim later provided a victim impact statement, revealing the profound psychological effects of the assault. She expressed feelings of anxiety and fear, stating, “I get a lot of anxiety because of this incident. At first I thought I would be OK but as time has gone on I realize I am not happy to go out on my own.”

Just days before this assault, while on bail, Baron committed another serious offense. He broke into a house in Abbotsvale, entering through an unsecured door. The householders, a man and his 14-year-old daughter, were watching television when they heard noises and went to investigate. They encountered Baron on the upstairs landing, his face covered, and recognized him as someone who had previously been associated with the girl’s sister. A struggle ensued, and both men fell down the stairs. During the altercation, Baron threatened the homeowner, saying, “Tell your dad to get off me or I’ll stab him,” revealing his dangerous intent.

The situation escalated further when Baron followed the woman into Risedale Road after the initial attack, rugby tackled her again, and was on top of her before she managed to scream and wriggle free. The homeowner and his daughter, panicked by the events, managed to get Baron to release them and flee the scene.

Preston Crown Court heard evidence of Baron’s reckless behavior, which was exacerbated by drug use and the possession of weapons. Judge James Adkin addressed Baron directly during sentencing, stating, “It seems to me that literally you are an out of control young man who uses drugs and occasionally carries weapons.” The judge expressed concern that Baron’s actions indicated a pattern of dangerous conduct, warning that the street assault could be a prelude to more serious offenses. He emphasized the risk Baron posed to the public, especially young women, when disinhibited by drugs.

Baron was convicted of multiple charges, including sexual assault, burglary, and possession of an offensive weapon—a knuckleduster found in his scooter’s panniers. The court sentenced him to six years in a young offenders’ institution for the sexual assault, with additional sentences of 14 months for the burglary and six months for the weapon possession, to run concurrently. The ruling reflects the severity of his crimes and the ongoing concern for community safety in Barrow-in-Furness.