Wakefield bus pervert back behind bars for defying sex order banning him from public transport for SEVENTH time

A pervert has been locked up yet again for defying a court order banning him from using public transport unaccompanied.
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It is now seven times that Neil Poundford has breached a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) after a police officer observed the 62-year-old boarding a bus in Wakefield on September 12 this year.

Poundford has convictions for groping teenage girls on buses in Wakefield and Dewsbury.

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He was jailed in May this year for a sixth breach of his SHPO after being spotted travelling on a bus from Normanton to Wakefield.

Leeds Crown CourtLeeds Crown Court
Leeds Crown Court

Imran Khan, prosecuting, said Poundford was out of prison on licence when he committed his latest offence last month.

A police officer in an unmarked car saw Poundford boarding a bus and notified other officers.

The bus was followed and Poundford was arrested when he got off.

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He told the officers who arrested him: "I couldn't afford a taxi."

Poundford, of Pioneer Way, Castleford, pleaded guilty to breach of a SHPO

The defendant was first given the SHPO when he was jailed for 16 months in August 2017 for two offences of sexual assault.He targeted a 17-year-old victim as she was travelling on a bus between Wakefield and Dewsbury on May 5 of that year.

Poundford sat next to her and began talking to her,

He then grabbed her face and said: “I think I recognise you.”

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Poundford then started to talk about driving lessons and touched the victim on her arm.

The victim felt frightened and got up to leave then Poundford slapped her behind as she walked away.

He was arrested and released on bail but preyed on a 13-year-old girl at a bus stop in Horbury, Wakefield, two months later.

Poundford approached the girl on Westfield Lane and made a comment about her jeans before touching her knee.

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Poundford then showed her a bank book and said he had £3,000 in his account. He also touched her face before she walked away.

Caroline Abraham, mitigating, said Poundford had been suffering from depression and anxiety.

She said Poundford was now re-building his relationship with his son who has given him one last chance and has offered to give him lifts in future to help prevent him re-offending.

Poundford was jailed for eight months.

Judge Christopher Batty said: "It has got to stop Mr Poundford.

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"Apart from anything else, your son must be at his wits' end.

"If he has given you this ultimatum then you better make sure you stick by it."

Poundford appeared in court via video link from HMP Leeds.

As he was sentenced he said: "I have been very stupid, I admit that.

"I have been very, very silly."