OLIVER SMITH SENTENCED IN SWANSEA FOR SERIES OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES
A man responsible for sexually assaulting 18 women and girls in Swansea parks has been sentenced to three years in prison.Oliver Smith, aged 27, pedaled his bicycle through a popular Swansea park and nearby streets, dressed in black or dark clothing with a hood pulled over his head, instilling "widespread terror" among the local community.
He would randomly touch women and girls during his rides.
Swansea Crown Court heard Smith told police, "he gets angry about females wearing Lycra." His victims ranged from 12 to 45 years old and included lone joggers, university students, and mothers with young children.
A judge stated he had no doubt that Smith was a dangerous offender but noted that he could not impose an extended public protection sentence.
The court outlined that most of the assaults occurred around Swansea's Singleton and Brynmill parks, as well as nearby streets and the seafront promenade.
Prosecutor Dean Pulling told the court that during February 12 and 13 this year, Smith attacked a series of women by approaching from behind and "forcefully" grabbing their buttocks before riding away.
Pulling highlighted that some victims were students en route to university, others were joggers or mothers, and some women out walking with friends during lockdown.
He emphasized that "the offences were committed during lockdown when victims were exercising or conducting essential errands, such as going to work or shopping," which heightened their stress and fear, especially considering the coronavirus restrictions.
The assaults received extensive media coverage, and these public, seemingly random attacks against women and girls sparked widespread fear and anger in Swansea.
Smith reportedly told police he targeted women who wore short jackets, claiming, "he gets angry about females wearing Lycra.
He believed that women who dressed that way were enticing men," and he felt it was unfair that men had to see such outfits.
He also expressed regret seeing some victims crying and believed all females dressed to entice men.
One jogging victim was assaulted twice within a short period: first when Smith grabbed her bottom as she ran through Brynmill Park, and again a few minutes later as she headed home through Singleton Park.
The court heard that Smith also sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl in Bishopston on February 13, and attempted to attack a 45-year-old woman walking home from a store.
Following these incidents, police launched an investigation and issued a press release with a CCTV image of a man on a bicycle linked to the assaults.
Public tips led authorities to Smith’s residence on Sandy Lane in Parkmill and a converted garden shed where he was living.
Smith initially denied involvement but later made admissions to police, stating he believed it was "not fair" for women to dress in ways that tempted men.
He further revealed that he masturbated daily, which he found "exhausting," and claimed that touching women helped reduce that urge.
Smith also admitted to other sexual assaults, leaving victims feeling anxious, shocked, scared, and "violated." He, of Glandrydan Avenue, Uplands, Swansea, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of sexual assault by touching—including one on a girl under 13—and one count of attempted sexual assault.
He asked for an additional seven assaults to be considered by the court, totaling 18 victims.
Defense lawyer Gerard Cullen noted that Smith demonstrated "very bizarre ideology and thinking" during legal conferences.
Cullen explained that Smith "suffers from very rigid thinking and off ideas about how females should dress in public," and that his mother, who was concerned about his mental health and interest in conspiracy theories, had encouraged him to seek help, which he had refused.
Judge Geraint Walters described Smith’s actions as a "campaign" of sexual offending that caused widespread terror among women in the Swansea area.
Although the judge agreed that Smith was a dangerous offender according to a pre-sentence report, the court's sentencing power did not permit him to impose an extended sentence.
Considering Smith’s guilty pleas, the judge sentenced him to three years in prison for each of the offenses, with all sentences to run concurrently, resulting in a total of three years.
He will serve up to half of that time in custody before being released on license to complete his sentence in the community.
Smith will also be registered as a sex offender for life.
Reacting after sentencing, South Wales Police Detective Inspector Gareth Jones stated, "Oliver Smith's offending has caused his victims significant fear and distress, and I hope this sentencing brings them some comfort and shows the seriousness of his actions.
Everyone has the right to go about their life without being harassed or assaulted.
I praise these women and teenagers for coming forward and speaking to police.
South Wales Police will not tolerate sexual abuse in any form, and we will do all we can to bring perpetrators to justice."
