Thomas Joshua Bird

A predatory sex attacker, Thomas Joshua Bird, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison with an extended six years on licence for a series of sexual offences committed near Selby in North Yorkshire. The 30-year-old from Knottingley was found guilty at York Crown Court of two counts of attempted sexual assault, one count of sexual assault, and failing to provide police with the PIN to access his phone during the investigation. The sentencing, which took place on 15 January 2021, followed a trial in November 2020 and considered a Probation Service report assessing Bird's significant risk to the public. He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Register of Sex Offenders.

The incident occurred on 18 June 2020 at approximately 6:54am, when the victim, a woman in her 60s, was walking alone beside the A1246 between Fairburn and Holyrood Lane. Bird approached her from behind, pulled her to the ground, and sexually assaulted her in what police described as a 'terrifying' and premeditated attack. The victim fought back bravely, causing Bird to flee towards Fairburn. She reported the assault immediately, sustaining injuries to her jaw, shoulder, leg, and ribs, and has since suffered profound mental trauma that has 'completely devastated her life', leaving her isolated and plagued by nightmares.

Investigations by York and Selby CID, supported by the Major Investigation Team, involved intensive searches, public CCTV trawls, and a media appeal for private footage and dash-cam recordings from between 6:15am and 7:00am that day. The victim described her attacker as stocky, wearing a blue surgical face mask, black woolly hat, black bottoms, and a black top. Crucial CCTV from Fairburn village on Cut Road, captured around 6:30am, showed a man matching this description heading to Fairburn Ings nature reserve. Further analysis linked him to a black Vauxhall Astra via ANPR data and insurance records, leading to Bird's arrest on 28 June 2020.

• A search of Bird's home recovered CCTV footage of him leaving at 6:07am in fluorescent work clothes, face masks matching the attacker's, and surgical gloves believed to have been worn during the assault.
• Bird refused to provide his phone PIN, resulting in an additional charge.
• Prior to the attack, CCTV showed Bird's car passing a lone woman near Fairburn Ings, turning around, and parking nearby; he changed into dark clothing but was possibly deterred by a fisherman's presence and targeted the victim instead.
• Post-attack, footage showed him returning home shortly after and disposing of the dark clothing in a work vehicle.

Released on conditional bail initially, Bird was re-arrested on 20 July 2020 and charged the following day at York Magistrates' Court. He made no comment during questioning and did not testify at trial. Detective Inspector Alan Williams of York and Selby CID stated: 'This was a planned, premeditated and predatory stranger sexual attack... His despicable actions have had a catastrophic impact on the victim’s life.' The victim shared her ordeal: 'Words cannot truly express the massive impact this has had on my life... I miss the person I was before the attack.' Public response to the appeal was instrumental in building the circumstantial case without witnesses or forensics, ensuring Bird's conviction for this sickening crime.