A serial sex attacker assaulted 10 women and two girls over a two-day spree because he "got angry" at them for wearing Lycra.

Oliver Smith, 27, would cycle up to his victims as they were out jogging or walking and grab their bottoms before riding off.

He was jailed for three years for the offences that took place on February 12 and 13 this year in the Swansea area. Eight of the attacks happened in just four hours.

Dean Pulling, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court there were 18 victims in total – aged from 12 to 45 – including one woman who was assaulted twice and others who were with their children.

He said: "The fact they were assaulted at that time when there were heightened concerns regarding coronavirus and social distancing only served to increase the stress and fear that they felt at the time.

“The attacks that weekend received significant media publicity and these sexual assaults committed in public places, seemingly random attacks against women and girls, brought widespread fear and anger amongst females in Swansea.

"He told police he gets angry about females wearing Lycra.

"He claimed he targeted females who had short jackets on and whose bottoms were visible. In his view it wasn’t fair that men had to see that."

Smith was arrested following a police appeal after being recognised by a former school friend, and admitted his crimes.

He told police he carried out his first attack in December last year and thought he had assaulted around 15 women.

He admitted 10 charges of sexual assault by touching, one charge of assault of a child under 13 by touching, and one charge of attempted sexual assault.

Smith, of Glanbrydan Avenue, Swansea, also asked for seven other offences of sexual assault by touching to be taken into account for sentencing.

Gerard Cullen, defending, said a psychiatrist believes Smith was exhibiting signs of autism but is refusing to undergo an assessment.

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He said: "The theme that runs throughout the pre-sentence report and the psychiatric report demonstrates what can only be described as very bizarre ideas, ideology and thinking on behalf of Mr Smith.

"It is true to say he does suffer from very rigid thinking and some very odd ideas about how females should dress in public."

Judge Guy Walters jailed Smith for three years and placed him on the sex offenders register for life, also imposing an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

He said: "This is, by anybody's standards, a very unusual case.

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"It really has to be described as a campaign of sexual offending, which caused widespread terror at the time to women in and around the Swansea area.

"Whilst the touching in this case involves the grabbing of the buttocks and nothing beyond that, you will have heard this morning the accounts of your victims as to the profound effect it has had upon them."

Detective Inspector Gareth Jones said: “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."

If you or somebody you know has been affected by this story, contact Victim Support for free, confidential advice on 0845 30 30 900 or visit their website, www.victimsupport.org.uk.

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