Joshua Pickering, 29, from north Hull, was sentenced to 11 years in prison at Hull Crown Court for a series of sexual offences that demonstrated a clear pattern of predatory behaviour towards a woman and two girls. The court heard details of three distinct incidents, with Pickering convicted of four counts of assault by penetration—three involving the woman and one a young girl—following a trial in September. He had earlier admitted to sending threatening messages and causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a girl by pressuring her to send indecent images.
In the first incident, Pickering met a woman via Facebook and visited her flat after a social gathering late at night. Despite her drunken state and explicit refusals, he persisted in unwanted advances. As described by prosecutor David Godfrey, Pickering moved closer, kissed her neck, and intimately touched her despite her protests of 'No, you have got to stop.' She pushed him away, but he continued until she fell asleep, only to wake and find him touching her again. Pickering reportedly said, 'I just can't help myself,' and pestered her for sex, ignoring her repeated rejections. He eventually left after she made it clear no sexual conduct was wanted. Subsequently, he sent text messages attempting to gaslight her, claiming, 'Look, I should have stopped but I didn't. That was my fault. I will take the blame for it,' while implying she had been receptive. The woman confided in a friend, stating, 'I f***ing woke up and he was doing it,' and reported the assault to the police. During his interview, Pickering admitted being 'a little pushy' and drunk, but denied non-consent, claiming she had become receptive.
In a separate offence, Pickering sexually touched a young girl intimately, an act she initially mistook for a genuine mistake but soon recognised as deliberate. Mr Godfrey told the court she was 'really scared' and 'shocked,' particularly unsettled by Pickering's casual demeanour afterwards, as if 'nothing had happened.' She felt he wanted to force her to have sex. Too frightened to report it immediately, she confided in a friend years later, who encouraged her to contact the police. Pickering denied the touching during his interview, claiming only a hug occurred and nothing sexual happened.
- Pickering's mobile phone, seized after arrest, revealed messages to a second girl where he pressured her for nude photographs over a month-long exchange.
- She felt compelled to comply but, after sending them, he threatened to distribute the images to her family unless she met him for sex, causing her severe anxiety.
- She blocked him to escape the pressure.
Mr Godfrey highlighted the 'startlingly similar' nature of Pickering's behaviour towards two victims, forming a 'clear pattern' of persistence and disregard for consent. Pickering, who had a 2022 caution for malicious communication, was on bail during the trial but remanded in custody post-conviction. The judge described him as someone who 'does not like taking "No" for an answer' and a 'persistent sex pest.' In addition to the 11-year custodial sentence, Pickering was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. The case was reported by Hull Live, with proceedings at Hull Crown Court.