MICHAEL STEPHENS JAILED IN BIRMINGHAM FOR BUS-BASED SEXUAL ASSAULTS
In September 2017, Michael Stephens, a 34-year-old man from Washwood Heath, Birmingham, was sentenced to two years in prison for a series of sexual offenses committed on a Birmingham bus.The court heard that Stephens, who was aboard a No 11 bus on February 7 this year, approached a schoolgirl dressed in uniform and subjected her to a distressing ordeal.
He sat near her and asked where the bus was and whether he could sit beside her.
When she refused, he ignored her and proceeded to stroke her leg, moving his hand from her knee up to her skirt's hem.
Prosecutor Alison Scott Jones described the incident, saying, “He was using his other hand to watch pornography on his mobile phone.” She explained that he deliberately tilted the phone toward the girl so she could see the explicit footage, causing her to feel scared, humiliated, and embarrassed.
The girl moved away and later confided in her grandmother about what had occurred.
Stephens continued to rub her leg as she tried to distance herself, and she froze in fear.
Mr.
Jones added that “she was scared stiff and completely froze,” and noted that Stephens appeared to be texting while the assault took place.
The victim managed to take a photograph of Stephens after she moved away, which was later handed over to the police.
As Stephens fled the scene, the bus driver, noticing her distressed state, attempted to chase him down.
Stephens had previously admitted charges of two counts of sexual assault and causing harassment, alarm, and distress.
In her sentencing, Judge Mary Stacey described the offenses as “three serious offences which each involved the humiliation and degradation of women, of varying ages, on a bus.” She commented on Stephens’ “controlling and manipulative” nature and praised the victims' bravery.
The judge also imposed a sexual offences prevention order banning Stephens from watching pornography on public transport.
Additionally, she ordered him to register as a sex offender for the next ten years.
