BRAVE PASSER-BY INTERVENED WHEN SMIRKING SEX PEST ATTACKED WOMAN
A courageous bystander detained a Sheffield man who had a mischievous smile after grabbing a woman’s bottom as she walked along London Road.The woman told 19-year-old Joseph Pokuta to stop after he approached her and said, "Alright baby?" on May 3 of this year.
As she continued walking, Pokuta was accused of slapping her and making contact with her rear over her clothing.
She then asked him to leave her alone, but he responded with a smirk and persisted in following her.
A nearby passerby noticed the situation and asked if she was okay.
This individual then detained Pokuta and contacted the police.
During police interview, Pokuta, who does not have a fixed address, became agitated and struck a police officer, knocking them to the ground.
This was not the first time he had assaulted emergency personnel.
In addition to the sexual assault, Pokuta was also sentenced for attacking a police officer and for robbery.
He committed his first known robbery at age 16 on October 15, 2021, on Burngreave Road.
The judge explained: "The victim of that incident was injured.
You also threatened a police officer with piping and then assaulted him.
The robbery involved striking the victim from behind and repeatedly hitting him while he was on the ground, causing him to lose consciousness." The court detailed that the victim had woken up in hospital, missing his mobile phone, keys, and lighter, with a broken lower jaw and facial bruising.
Regarding the assault on officers, the judge noted: "Pokuta ran into a cul-de-sac, picked up a piece of white plastic piping, and threatened officers with it.
When officers tried to taser him, he struck them with the piping.
Despite being restrained, he attempted to bite an officer.
Various officers then brought him into custody." Additionally, Pokuta was convicted of possessing cannabis, caught with the class B drug on April 9 this year.
Judge Richardson acknowledged that some of his crimes might involve psychosis but noted he had refused medication in the past.
He was sentenced to five years and six months in prison.
