Pervert groped terrified woman at Leeds city-centre bus stop
A pervert groped a woman who was sat alone at a bus stop, Leeds Crown Court was told.
Biniam Weldeab touched the terrified woman’s bottom and then followed her when she tried to flee.
He admitted a charge of sexual assault, appearing in court over a video link from HMP Leeds where he was being held on remand.
The victim had left work in Leeds centre on September 3 last year and sat at the bus stop on Boar Lane waiting for her service.
Weldeab approached her, sat next to her and began to lean on her and extend his hand towards her thigh, prosecutor Harry Bradford said.
He then put his hand on her bottom and squeezed, but she began screaming and moved away.
She left the immediate area and later said Weldeab appeared to follow her for a short time.
Weldeab, who is from the East African country of Eritrea, was later arrested after being identified from CCTV.
During his police interview, the 29-year-old admitted presence but denied sexual assault.
No mitigation was offered after Judge Richard Mansell KC acknowledged he had spent five months on remand.
He gave him a four-month sentence, meaning he would be released immediately and told him: “This was an unpleasant, distressing event.
“It took place in broad daylight in the city where this young lady should have felt safe.
“You targeted her quite deliberately because she was alone.”
He put him on the sex offender register for seven years.