In 2026, 27-year-old William Kidd, of Stanbank Street, Stockport, was jailed for four years at Manchester Crown Court. The sentencing followed an intensive, cross-border investigation into a series of highly deceptive sexual assaults targeting women inside retail spaces.
The case against Kidd involved five distinct incidents taking place between May and September 2025. Kidd deliberately travelled to multiple shopping venues across both Cheshire and Greater Manchester, targeting women as they completed everyday tasks, entirely oblivious to his presence.
The Investigation and Forensic Evidentiary Profile
The comprehensive investigation, led by Cheshire Police with active support from Greater Manchester Police, established that Kidd utilized store aisles to systematically stalk his targets. He tracked victims through stores in Macclesfield, Handforth, and Stanley Green in Cheshire, as well as Denton and Stockport in Greater Manchester.
Store CCTV Analysis and DNA Incontestable Proof
- Biological Material Deployment: Store security footage captured Kidd on four separate occasions covertly spraying a substance onto the backs or hair of his victims. Subsequential forensic analysis confirmed the substance deposited on the unaware victims was Kidd’s semen.
- Targeting Parents: During a fifth documented incident, Kidd tracked a mother moving through a supermarket, secretly filming her on his mobile device while she was accompanied by her five-year-old daughter.
- CCTV Appeal and Arrest: Following an public image appeal by Cheshire Police, Kidd was positively identified and arrested in October 2025, at which point officers discovered he was in possession of cannabis.
Key Takeaways and Judicial Outcomes
A deep forensic review of Kidd’s seized mobile phone uncovered additional illicit media files, including a video tracking an unsuspecting woman pushing a child in a shopping trolley while filming up her skirt. This digital evidence forced a comprehensive guilty plea.
- Official Convictions: Kidd pleaded guilty to 11 counts of sexual assault on a female, two counts of voyeurism, eight counts of recording an image under clothing to observe another without consent, and one count of possession of cannabis.
- Custodial Sentence: A four-year prison term was imposed on Friday, 29 May 2026.
- Post-Release Restrictions: The judiciary issued a strict Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which remains active against Kidd indefinitely, alongside mandatory Sex Offenders Register notification rules.
Community Impact and Public Protection
Following the formal court conclusion, Detective Constable Tiffany Berry-Perkin commended the victims for their immense strength, noting that their cooperation allowed teams to mount an unassailable case. Detective Sergeant Steven Kaminski reinforced that protecting women and girls remains an absolute priority.
The implementation of an indefinite SHPO ensures that law enforcement services retain long-term monitoring capabilities over Kidd’s movements and access to public spaces, directly removing a high-risk predator from regional communities.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.