June 2013

Foot-fetish pervert ‘stroked girl’s toes’

A pervert with a fetish for women’s feet began stroking and sniffing a stunned shop assistant’s toes after persuading her to try on a pair of high-heels, a court heard.

Alan Kirby had been skulking around a department store before heading to the shoe department to carry out his bizarre assault.

The unmarried 31-year-old pretended that he was looking for a pair of shoes for his girlfriend and asked the assistant to try on a pair of black sling-backs.

Kirby ogled the shoes before he suddenly dropped to his knees and began a more intimate examination, rubbing his fingers over her ankles and toes as he started to sniff at the leather.

Prosecutor Nick Adlington yesterday told York Crown Court: “Kirby stroked at her feet.

“He then revealed he hadn’t got a girlfriend and offered to buy the shoes for her.”

But the shocked assistant instantly fled, asking another member of staff to deal with Kirby, who had been drinking in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

Judge Shaun Spencer told him that he had behaved in a “disgraceful way” towards the assistant.

The judge added: “It must be a distressing matter to any woman who has to put with this.

“And I can tell you if you do anything like this again, you will be in serious trouble.”

Kirby, who now lives in the Lake District, pleaded guilty to sexual assault and was handed a six month community order, within which time he must complete 60 hours of unpaid work.

He was also made the subject of a restraining order.

Kirby spoke only to confirm his name and to inform the judge he understood his sentence.

He left court refusing to make any comment.