Man jailed for sexually assaulting multiple women across Cheshire and Manchester

A sexual predator who targeted women while they shopped in Cheshire and Greater Manchester has been jailed.

William Kidd appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Friday 29th May where he was sentenced to four years, and is now subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which remains in place indefinitely.

The 27-year-old of Stanbank Street in Stockport, had earlier 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 possession of cannabis.

The case against Kidd involves five incidents that took place between May and September 2025.

Following an investigation by Cheshire Police, supported by Greater Manchester Police, detectives found that Kidd targeted women while they shopped, discreetly following them through store aisles.

He visited stores in Macclesfield, Handforth and Stanley Green in Cheshire, as well as Denton and Stockport in Greater Manchester.

On four occasions, CCTV footage showed Kidd spraying the victims with a substance from a bottle he was carrying as he stalked them. He aimed at the women’s hair or backs, and the victims were often unaware of what had happened.

Forensic analysis later confirmed the substance was Kidd’s semen.

On a fifth occasion, Kidd followed a woman through a store and secretly filmed her on his mobile phone while she shopped with her five‑year‑old daughter.

Kidd was identified following a Cheshire Police CCTV appeal, and he was subsequently arrested in October 2025. He was found to be in possession of a quantity of cannabis at the time of his arrest.

A review of his mobile phone uncovered further footage, including a video of Kidd following a woman pushing a small child in a shopping trolley while he filmed up her skirt. The woman appears to be completely unaware of his presence.

Kidd was charged and later pleaded guilty to the offences put to him.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Tiffany Berry-Perkin said:

“Firstly, I would like to commend the victims in this case for the strength and bravery they have shown throughout this investigation.

“It is thanks to their continued support that our team was able to gather an overwhelming body of evidence against Kidd, leaving him with no option but to plead guilty.

“Kidd deliberately targeted innocent women as they went about their everyday lives, entirely unaware of the depraved acts he was committing against them.

"His behaviour is completely unacceptable, and I welcome the fact that he is now being held accountable behind bars, where he can no longer pose a danger to women in our communities.”

Detective Sergeant Steven Kaminski said:

“This case is an excellent example of neighbouring forces working together to identify and apprehend offenders who target women and girls.

“Kidd was fully aware that what he was doing was wrong. He knew his actions would cause his victims extreme distress, yet he chose to continue, deliberately travelling to multiple stores across two counties with the intention of violating and ultimately sexually assaulting innocent women.

“Putting an end to violence against women and girls remains a top priority for the force, and we will continue to remove sexual predators like Kidd from Cheshire and ensure they see justice.

“We treat all allegations of sexual offences extremely seriously, and any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.

“Victims should never feel ashamed of what has been done to them. Anyone who comes forward will be met with compassion, respect, and specialist support from our officers, alongside partner support agencies. All victims of sexual offences are entitled to anonymity, and we are committed to ensuring they receive the help and protection they deserve.”

To report any sexual offence, call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or visit: 

https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/%20

Pictured - William Kidd of Stanbank Street in Stockport.