Bus pervert jailed for breaching public transport ban

A PERVERT broke a ban ordering him to keep off public transport by boarding a bus within weeks of being released from prison.

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Neil Poundford was locked up in August last year for sexual assaults on a 17-year-old girl on a bus and a 13-year-old as she waited at a bus stop.

Poundford was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order prohibiting him from using public transport unaccompanied for a period of ten years.

Leeds Crown Court heard the 59-year-old was released from prison on licence in April this year.

Peter Yates, prosecuting, said police officers from the public protection unit went to Poundford's home in Wakefield to pay a "routine visit" and spotted him walking down the street.

The officers followed Poundford and saw him board a bus on Horbury Road.

They followed the bus until Poundford got off the vehcile in Wakefield city centre.

Mr Yates said Poundford was arrested and told officers: "Yes I did it. I have been stupid."

The prosecutor added: "He said he was aware of the order but that he just wanted to get on a bus and act like a normal person."

Poundford was released on bail but officers observed him catching another bus on May 15.

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He was arrested again two days later and told police: "Yes, I thought it was you who saw me when I got on the bus."

Poundford, of Horbury Road, Wakefield, pleaded guilty to two breaches of a sexual harm prevention order.

Emma Downing, prosecuting, said Poundford had sat deliberately away from people during the journey and no members of the public had been placed at risk.