Extended jail sentence given to sex attacker

JACK BELL HAS BEEN BRANDED A SIGNIFICANT RISK BY JUDGE

- By NAOMI CORRIGAN

A “DANGEROUS” sex attacker has been jailed by a judge who branded him a significant risk of very serious harm to women.

Jack Bell, 22, left two victims with lasting psychological impacts after targeting them as they walked alone in Northaller-ton.

He later went on to be convicted for two stalking offences on lone women in Hartlepool. At a sentencing hearing on Tuesday for the two sexual assaults, the Teesside Crown Court judge described Bell as a “dangerous” offender. He said Bell had an “utterly distorted view of women” and his “sexual entitlement” over them.

The first attack when Bell targeted a woman in Northallerton. She heard heavy footsteps behind her and moved to the side of the pavement to allow the person to pass by.

Bell grabbed her between the legs before running off. While under investigation for this attack, Bell then carried out the second sex assault.

The victim had seen the defendant following her the day prior to the assault, said Paul Cleasby, prosecuting. “The following evening, she was again walking in Northallerton and again noticed the defendant who appeared to be hanging around. Again he followed her and she became increasingly concerned as she could hear his footsteps approaching her from behind.”