Man jailed for sexually assaulting teen girls in Chesterfield

Michael Pick, of Holland Road, Old Whittington, approached both girls in separate incidents while they were with out with their friends.

In April 2021, Pick approached a girl and invited her to his house for a cigarette. The girl waited outside and as she lit the cigarette he had given her, he sexually assaulted her.

She pushed him away but then he grabbed her by her waist and tried to kiss her, but she managed to push him away again and run back to her friends.

They reported what had happened to police and Pick was arrested. He denied the offence during interview and was bailed.

On Saturday 4 June 2022, while on bail, the 21-year-old approached a different teenage girl who was sat with friends at a park just off Albert Avenue in New Whittington.

He commented on the appearance of the girl and her friend, said that he wanted to have sex with them and showed them a knife he had in his bag.

Pick then crawled over to the victim, pushed her to the ground and sexually assaulted her. One of her friends pushed him off. As they were walking away, he approached the victim again and sexually assaulted her for a second time.

The group reported what happened to passing patrol officers, and Pick was seen in the area but ran off from the officer.

He was arrested later the same day at his home address, charged and remanded.

Pick was convicted at Derby Crown Court of two counts of sexual assault of a teenage girl, possession of a knife and inciting an under-age girl to engage in sexual activity.

He was jailed following the hearing on Friday 7 July for 50 months with an extended post-release licence period of 24 months.

Pick was handed five-year restraining orders in respect of both victims and is also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable David Oldfield said: “Both victims have shown incredible bravery, firstly in taking that initial step of reporting what happened to them but then secondly in their support and cooperation with the investigation and court process.

“The effect on the lives of these two young girls and their families has been devastating, and we only hope that this outcome will offer some comfort now that Pick is behind bars and facing the consequences of his actions.

DC Oldfield added: “I really hope that this case shows our commitment to supporting survivors of rape and sexual assault and provides confidence that we will do everything we can to identify offenders and put them in front of a court.”

If you or someone you know has been the victim of rape, sexual assault or another sexual offence please reach out for help and support.

There is a Rape and Sexual Assault reporting tool to our website. Here you can report something that's happened to you, or to someone else. To access it visit: https://www.derbyshire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

You can report anonymously, without giving us your details. We won't judge you; we'll treat you with respect, and we'll always put your health and wellbeing first.

Alternatively, you can contact us using the following methods:

• Facebook – send us private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page
• Twitter – direct message our contact centre via @DerPolContact
• Phone – call us on 101

If you have been affected by a similar crime, whether recent or non-recent, and would like some support you can contact SV2 – a Derbyshire based organisation who support victims of sexual violence.

You can contact them online www.sv2.org.uk or via their advice line 01773 746 115 (open 8am – 5pm) regardless of whether you wish to report an incident to police.