A predatory sexual offender groped a woman’s buttocks and thrust against her, then exposing himself to another individual at a post office.
Shaun O’Connor, referred to as “Chop-Off,” specifically targeted female patrons at the Darlington post office on the morning of September 7 of the previous year.
He seized the first woman’s buttocks, encircled her with both arms, gyrated against her, and made a sexual comment. The court heard that when he was requested to depart, he approached another female patron, exposed himself, and subsequently seized her top.
After his arrest, the 40-year-old performed a sex act in front of a police officer from his cell in Darlington police station.
On Wednesday, O’Connor told a judge at Teesside Crown Court that he was representing himself and began dancing and shouting throughout proceedings.
Prosecutor Tabitha Buck told the court that a month earlier, on August 18, O’Connor went into a Darlington hotel, despite being barred. When a member of staff asked him to leave he grabbed her by the throat and tried to kiss her, before slapping the bottom of another woman as he walked out.
Weeks earlier, on July 27, O’Connor punched a man, outside the Greyhound Pub on Parkgate. The man fell into a stationary car on the road, and O’Connor then dragged him back onto the pavement.
The man who Ms Buck said had done nothing to provoke O’Connor, was unconscious and had a laceration to the back of his head. In court O’Connor shouted: “I saved him, I saved him, Your Honour.”
O’Connor, of Pateley Moor Crescent in Darlington, pleaded guilty to a string of offences, including two sexual assaults, two counts of exposure, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He told the court that he had been sexually attacked as a teenager before apologising for his behaviour.
Judge Howard Crowson jailed O’Connor for two-years. He was placed on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years. “Thank you” O’Connor replied, “I appreciate that I have been safe in prison.”
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 111 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.