Barberel was jailed for ten years

A Walton-le-Dale man has been jailed for sexually assaulting two women in Preston.

Paul Barberel, 32, of Chorley Road was linked by forensic evidence to a sexual assault on a 32-year-old women on Agnes Street in August 2013.

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Detectives found the evidence also linked him to a historic sexual assault in December 1999 when a 20-year-old woman was assaulted in Calder Street.

He was given a 10 year sentence at Preston Crown Court on Friday.

He was sentenced to five years for each offence to run consecutively with a further five years extended licence as he has been classed as a dangerous offender. He has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders register.

Det Sgt Steve Ryder said: “I am pleased with the sentence given. Both incidents were particularly sinister and the victims were subjected to serious sexual assaults.

“The victims in these cases did not know their attacker. I would like to reassure the community of Preston that offences of this type are rare but we will always do what we can to bring any offenders to justice.

“As with all reports of sexual offences, we have had specially trained officers working closely with the victims and we have ensured they have received the appropriate support through our partner agencies.”