Man who caused ‘terror’ with sex assaults jailed
AMAN who sexually assaulted 18 women and girls in Swansea parks has been sentenced to three years in prison.
Oliver Smith rode around a popular Swansea park and nearby street on his bicycle wearing black or dark clothing with a hood pulled over his head causing “widespread terror”, randomly touching women and girls.
Swansea Crown Court heard he told police “he gets angry about females wearing Lycra”. His 18 victims ranged in age from 12 to 45, and included lone joggers, university students, and mothers playing with their young children. A judge said he had no doubt the defendant was a dangerous offender, but said he was not able to make him subject to an extended sentence for public protection.
Swansea Crown Court heard most of the attacks took place around Swansea’s Singleton and Brynmill parks, and nearby streets as well as the seafront prom.
Dean Pulling, prosecuting, said over the course of February 12 and 13 this year Smith attacked a series of women. He said Smith approached women from behind and “forcefully” grabbed their buttocks before riding off. He said some of the victims were students heading for the nearby university, some were lone joggers, some were mothers who had taken their children to the park, and some were women out walking with friends enjoying some exercise in lockdown.
He said: “The offences were committed during lockdown and when the victims were taking permitted exercise or essential business, such as going to work or the shop.
“The fact they were assaulted at that time when there were heightened concerns regarding coronavirus and social distancing only served to increase the stress and fear that they felt at the time.
Mr Pulling said one victim, a jogger, was assaulted twice within a short time – Smith first grabbed her bottom as she ran through Brynmill Park, and then again a few minutes later as she ran home through Singleton Park.
The court heard the defendant also sexually assaulted girls – one aged just 12 – in Bishopston on February 13, and tried to attack a 45-year-old woman walking home from the Bishopston Co-op store.
The court heard the attacks had left the victims feeling anxious, shocked, scared to go out, and “violated”.
Oliver James Smith, of Glandrydan Avenue, Uplands, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to 11 counts of sexual sexual assault by touching – including one on a girl under 13 – and one count of attempted sexual assault. He asked for another seven sexual assaults to be taken into consideration. In total there were 18 victims.
Judge Geraint Walters said Smith had carried out what could only be described as a “campaign” of sexual offending.
Giving the defendant a one-third discount for his guilty pleas the judge sentenced the defendant to three years in prison for each offence, the sentences to all run concurrently making an overall sentence of three years.
Smith will serve up to half that period in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. He will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.