Chorley man charged with sex offences and stalking campaign rummaged through alleged victim’s bins, Preston court is told

A Chorley man has been charged with a string of sex offences. He was also charged with stalking a woman by following her and secretly sifting through her bins. Mark Kay is also said to have followed the complainant, who we are choosing not to name, to her home address, sent her numerous unwanted emails, and rummaged around a bin belonging to the woman - before leaving items in the refuse point.

The 33-year-old also separately charged with four counts of sexual touching when a woman aged over 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, did not consent. Kay, of Mayflower Crescent, Buckshaw Village, was remanded on conditional bail when he appeared at Preston Magistrates’ Court on March 13.

He was charged with one count of stalking and one of harassment, which are said to have taken place between July 2022 and March of this year. The four charges of sexual touching are alleged to have taken place between March 2021 and May 2022. Kay did not enter a plea but was ordered to return to Preston Crown Court on April 12.

Why do people appear at Magistrates Court instead of Crown Court?

The vast majority of offences are dealt with at magistrates court, with only the most serious offences, such murder and rape, being heard at Crown Court in front of a judge. Magistrates and district judges deal most others, including minor offences such as motoring offences, minor criminal damage and common assault not causing significant injury.