A teenager sexually assaulted four women in the space of an hour.

Shueib Hassan, aged 19, appeared at Bolton Crown Court charged with five counts of sexual assault and two counts of common assault.

Hassan, of Northwood Close, Deane, previously pleaded guilty to the offences, which were committed on January 9 this year.

On that day, he was walking down Newport Street in Bolton town centre.

Prosecuting, Alison Whalley said: "On January 9 this year he committed a spate of sexual and minor physical assaults against women in the centre of Bolton.

"At around 2.50pm walking along Newport Street and approached her from behind. He put his hand between her legs and moved it upwards.

"She remonstrated with him. The defendant hid behind a building, to which she asked what he was doing, then he ran towards her and slapped her bottom with an open palm." 

The victim took a picture of the defendant on her mobile phone.

She then made her way towards Trinity Retail Park, but as she tried to do so the defendant "took hold of her breast" and shouted at her to give him her phone.

Ms Whalley continued: "She refused to give him her phone and rang 999. The defendant followed her to the retail park as she ran to get to a shop, and he attempted to punch her but missed."

She read out the victim's personal statement, saying: "She felt extremely shaken up, she felt violated and felt dirty. She would be paranoid of spending time on her own in the future."

At around 25 minutes after that incident, another woman was on Trinity Retail Park, where the defendant still was.

Ms Whalley said: "The defendant approached her and slapped her on the bottom. She remonstrated with him.

"She tried to take her phone out to take a picture of him.

"He moved away and came back to her. He told her she couldn't take pictures of him and attempted to take her phone.

"He then punched her on the left arm."

She read out this victim's personal statement, saying: "She was upset, she was shocked and she was frightened."

Around five minutes after this, another woman noticed Hassan walking towards her on Deane Road, with police following him.

Ms Whalley said: "The defendant approached her and used his hand to slap her hard to the bottom. He was described by her as smiling as he did this.

"She expresses her disbelief and felt she would be paranoid in the future."

At around 3.30pm, another woman on Deane Road saw Hassan coming towards her.

Ms Whalley said: "The defendant moved past her and then moved back and slapped her bottom. She described him as lingering on her bottom for a few seconds.

"The defendant began walking away and was smirking. She saw police officers approach and chase the defendant.

"She says she will be more wary in the future. She is concerned what might have happened had she been in a more secluded place."

Defending, Joe Allman said: "It was reflected in the psychiatric reports that he was already under the mental health team in the community.

"He is supported by his family at court, his three sisters and his mother and father, and they will provide him with support."

Concluding, Judge Martin Walsh said: "You fall to be sentenced for five offences of sexual assault and two of common assault. In a spate of offending, females were approached by you and were touched inappropriately in a troubling manner.

"I have considered the content of the psychiatric reports, as well as the pre-sentence report.

"Your psychiatric issues will be addressed by probation service, working with the community mental health team."

Judge Walsh sentenced him to a three year community order, during which he will be monitored by the probation service.

He also ordered Hassan to undertake 60 days of rehabilitation requirement. He will also be on the sex offenders register for five years.