Sex assault arrest after distressed woman found in street

A MAN is being questioned on suspicion of sexual assault after police were called to a sighting of a distressed woman in a city street.

Officers were called to Fosse Road South, near its junction with

Upperton Road, in Westcotes, at about 7.30pm on Tuesday.

The woman told officers she had been sexually assaulted by a man she knew, police said.

A man has been taken into custody and, according to residents, police officers remained in the area throughout yesterday.

A police spokeswoman said: “On attendance, the woman alleged to officers she had been sexually assaulted at an address nearby by a man known to her.

“The woman, in her 30s, is being spoken to and supported by specialist officers.

“A 56-year-old man Leicester man has been arrested and remains in police custody.

“Inquiries are ongoing into the report to establish the exact circumstances around what happened.”

AN arrested man who coughed in a police officer’s face and claimed he had Covid-19 has been sentenced.

Kevin Patrick Leeburn was being detained after causing a disturbance at a Tesco store where he threatened a security guard.

In another incident, he hurled racial abuse at Job Centre staff.

Leicester Crown Court was told the 39-year-old had already amassed more than 90 previous offences.

Lynsey Knott, prosecuting, said on July 12 last year the defendant went to Tesco’s, in Welford Place, in the city centre, where he began asking shoppers for money and food – and became aggressive.

When the store’s security guard began phoning for the police, Leeburn turned on him, shouting and swearing, threatening to assault him.

The defendant remained outside, causing some fearful customers to remain inside. When the police arrived and placed him in handcuffs, Leeburn said: “I have Covid-19.” He then coughed into a constable’s face.

The officer made a personal impact statement, saying it was at the height of the pandemic, the defendant appeared “flippant” and the incident was “distressing.”

Leeburn, formerly of Bruce Street, near Narborough Road, Leicester, admitted assaulting an emergency worker and using threatening behaviour.

He also admitted racially aggravated threatening behaviour, two days earlier, at the Job Centre, in Charles Street, in the city, where he was aggressive and shouting about social distancing measures.

He swore and made racist comments towards security staff, despite assurances from the manager they would try to help him.

Leeburn further pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour on December 20, at the Shell Service Station, in Narborough Road, where he was already banned due to anti-social behaviour and shoplifting.

When asked to leave by a member of staff, Leeburn shouted aggressively and told the employee: “Get the hell out of my country,” causing the victim to feel “upset” and “discriminated against”.

Sentencing, Judge Philip Head said: “The most serious offence was coughing at a police officer, asserting to him you had coronavirus.

“People who behave in that way must expect to receive immediate custody.

“Police officers, prison officers and ambulance workers are all vulnerable and are entitled to protection from the courts from serious threats of an infection.

“It seems on many or all occasions, when committing these offences, you were under the influence of something.”

Phillip Gibbs, mitigating, said: “He was living a chaotic lifestyle because of lack of accommodation, employment and hope.

“He’s since been accommodated in a hotel by the local authority and is trying to prove himself, with the offer of work at a removal business.

“He hopes to be a more constructive member of society and turn his life around.

“He’s on a methadone prescription and working with Turning Point (rehabilitation organisation) and is trying to sort himself out.

“He describes himself as a ‘stupid idiot’.

“I accept there’s a catalogue of offences.”

Judge Head jailed Leeburn for 10 weeks.