MICHAEL KIRKBY FROM GRIMSBY TO BE RELEASED SOON AFTER SEX OFFENDER BREACHES
In March 2016, residents of Grimsby received a stark warning about the imminent release of Michael Kirkby, a known sex offender with a troubling history of offenses involving under-age girls.Kirkby, aged 51 and formerly residing on Freeman Street in Grimsby, is set to re-enter society after serving time in prison, despite his ongoing preoccupation with minors and a series of previous convictions that highlight his dangerous tendencies.
Authorities have expressed concern over Kirkby’s return to the streets, especially given his past behavior and recent breaches of legal restrictions.
He has a documented history of luring young girls to disused warehouses, where he indecently assaulted them, and has been caught with numerous images depicting children in compromising situations.
His criminal record includes a six-year imprisonment in 1993 for indecent assault, and a conditional discharge in 2012 for possessing hand-drawn images of children, which further underscores his persistent issues.
Most recently, Kirkby was subject to a sexual offences prevention order, a legal measure designed to prevent contact with minors and restrict the possession of related images.
The order explicitly prohibited him from having any contact with children under 16 and from possessing any images of minors.
However, on November 1 of the previous year, Kirkby was alleged to have breached this order at Grant Thorold Park in Grimsby.
Witnesses observed him sitting on a park bench, watching a young girl, and moving to a different spot to continue his surveillance.
A 10-year-old girl noticed Kirkby staring at her in the park’s 'baby park' area, and he admitted to moving to a bench to observe her.
According to court reports, Kirkby then approached the girl and asked her where she lived.
When she refused to tell him, he allegedly said he would find out and come knocking on her door someday.
Witnesses saw him follow her as she moved around, and a male bystander observed Kirkby talking to her.
Concerned, the witness alerted a security guard, and police arrived within ten minutes.
During the investigation, officers discovered Kirkby’s breach of the sexual offences prevention order and subsequently arrested him.
At his trial at Grimsby’s Crown Court, Kirkby denied speaking to the girl, claiming he had been at the park for only two or three hours and that she was simply running around with friends, which prevented her from engaging with him.
However, evidence presented by prosecutor Katy Rafter detailed how Kirkby had been watching the girl and following her movements.
The court also learned that Kirkby’s home was searched, revealing 29 images of children, including photographs from a fairground, children modeling clothes in a catalogue, and a video clip from the film Billy Elliot.
These images confirmed his possession of prohibited material, which he admitted to possessing but claimed they were not indecent.
His previous convictions and recent admissions led to a sentencing of eight months in prison.
Since Kirkby had already served approximately four months in custody, his release was anticipated shortly after the trial.
The judge, Mark Bury, emphasized the seriousness of Kirkby’s ongoing preoccupation with minors, stating, "You have an ongoing preoccupation with under-age girls," and highlighted that the original order was meant to keep him away from children but was breached.
Despite the legal setbacks, the authorities remain vigilant, and the community continues to be warned about Kirkby’s dangerous history as he prepares to re-enter society in Grimsby.
