We are pleased to report a man who admitted touching women inappropriately in public has been jailed.

Harmanjit Singh was arrested in December 2023 after several reports were received that a man had been sexually assaulting women and exposing himself in public across the city across a two-month period.

Victims provided a description of Singh and enquiries were undertaken to locate him, including sharing details with staff working for partner agencies. Having begun his offending in October that year, Singh was apprehended by security staff in December and subsequently arrested by our officers.

Officers were able to establish that Singh, now aged 29, could be linked to a series of incidents across different parts of Leicester. They were:

• Pocklingtons Walk on 2 October 2023, when a woman was touched inappropriately
• Western Boulevard, Grange Lane, Walnut Street and St Martins on 24 November 2023, where he touched women inappropriately and also exposed himself
• Friars Lane and Aylestone Road on 25 November, when he touched a woman inappropriately at the first location and exposed himself at the second later that evening
• Hughenden Drive, off Aylestone Road, on 2 December when he touched a woman inappropriately
• Knighton Lane East on 4 December, when he exposed himself
• Grasmere Street on 5 December, when he exposed himself to a woman

On 24 September this year, at Leicester Crown Court, Singh pleaded guilty to eight counts of sexual assault on a female and three counts of exposure.

Yesterday (Monday 26 October) Singh, of Clifton Road, Leicester, was sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment and placed on the sex offender register for 10 years.

Detective Inspector Jenny Tattersall said: “There’s little doubt in my mind that if he wasn’t caught, Singh’s behaviour would’ve escalated as he became increasingly aggressive towards his victims.

“I hope both they and women living across the city can take some relief from the fact he’s been convicted and jailed. The streets will hopefully be that little bit safer.

“Our duty is to protect our communities and I’d encourage any victims of such behaviour – which is completely unacceptable – to report matters to police.”

Sergeant Steph Burnham, deputy commander for the Central Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA) added: “We want Leicester city centre to be a safe place for everyone.

“Since these incidents occurred, officers based in the city have taken a proactive approach to tackle such predatory behaviour, identify anyone committing similar offences and bring them to justice.

“This has included the rollout of Project Vigilant, which brings together police, businesses and community partners to spot and tackle predatory behaviour in Leicester’s night-time economy.

“I’d echo the message that anyone who is a victim of such crimes should report them to police so offenders can be dealt with accordingly.”

• There are several different agencies who can offer independent help and support to victims of sexual offences in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
• Further information on these services and details on who to contact if you have been a victim of a sexual offence can be found by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences

Credit Image Leicestershire Police