Man jailed after committing sex act in front of teenager on bus

Anthony Smith also received an ASBO banning him from travelling on the upper deck of any bus for two years.

The 54-year-old denied using threatening behaviour towards the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, which was likely to cause her distress.

He was convicted following a trial last month, but continues to deny the charge.

High Peak Magistrates’ Court heard on Wednesday how the defendant, of Pitt Street, Audenshaw, Manchester, had struck up a conversation with the girl.

He then put his hand down his trousers and begun to masturbate and moan.

Prosecutor Jennifer Fitzgerald said: “She realised she was the only other passenger upstairs. Naturally, she was taken aback and turned to look away. She was unsure what to do.”

When Smith finished, he approached her again. She went downstairs to stand near the driver and the defendant followed, but got off the bus before her.

Ms Fitzgerald added: “It was unnerving. She will no longer get the bus on her own. It’s knocked her confidence.”

When interviewed, Smith told police he hadn’t been to Glossop for a year.

When shown CCTV footage of the incident, which happened in December 2013, he said he couldn’t remember it happening.

The court heard he had two previous convictions of exposure from 2006 and 2007.

Chairman of the bench Hilary Batterbee said: “The offence is so serious only a custodial sentence can be justified.

“It was committed against a vulnerable victim who was travelling on the upper deck when no other persons were present.”