MICHAEL PICK FROM CHESTERFIELD SENTENCED AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN OLD WHITTINGTON AND NEW WHITTINGTON

Michael Pick, a resident of Holland Road in Old Whittington, became the subject of a serious criminal investigation following a series of disturbing incidents involving two teenage girls. The sequence of events began in April 2021 when Pick approached a young girl who was out with her friends. During this encounter, he invited her to his house under the pretense of sharing a cigarette. The girl agreed and waited outside while she lit the cigarette he had given her. It was during this moment that Pick committed a sexual assault against her. Despite her efforts to push him away, he persisted by grabbing her around the waist and attempting to kiss her. The girl managed to resist his advances and fled back to her friends, seeking safety and reporting the incident to the police. Pick was subsequently arrested in connection with this assault. During police interviews, he denied any wrongdoing and was released on bail pending further investigation.

However, the situation escalated on Saturday, June 4, 2022, while Pick was still on bail. He approached a different teenage girl who was sitting with friends at a park located just off Albert Avenue in New Whittington. During this encounter, Pick made inappropriate comments about the appearance of the girl and her friend, expressing a desire to have sex with them. He also brandished a knife from his bag, which he showed to the girls, heightening the threat and fear. Moving closer, Pick crawled over to the victim, pushed her to the ground, and committed a sexual assault. One of her friends intervened by pushing him away. As the group was leaving the scene, Pick approached the victim again and committed a second sexual assault. The girls, distressed and frightened, reported the incident to passing police officers. Officers observed Pick in the vicinity but he fled the scene upon noticing them. Later that day, police arrested him at his home address. He was charged with multiple offenses, including two counts of sexual assault of a teenage girl, possession of a knife, and inciting an underage girl to engage in sexual activity. Pick was remanded into custody and brought before the court.

At Derby Crown Court, Michael Pick was found guilty of all charges. The court sentenced him to 50 months in prison, with an extended post-release supervision period of 24 months. Additionally, he was issued with five-year restraining orders protecting both victims from any contact. An indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also imposed, restricting his future conduct and contact with minors. These measures aim to prevent any further harm and ensure the safety of the community in Chesterfield, Old Whittington, and New Whittington.