A man has been handed a six-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after admitting to a series of sexual assaults on women travelling on buses in Hitchin and across North Herts.

Herjit Singh, 38, of Orchard Street, Kempston, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault by touching and was sentenced at Stevenage Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 26 November.

The offences took place on 16 September 2024, 16 January 2025 and 22 January 2025, all involving assaults on women using local bus services in the Hitchin area. Singh was arrested on 24 January and subsequently charged.

Alongside the SHPO, the court ordered Singh to complete rehabilitation activity requirements. He has also been placed on the sex offenders register for five years and must pay £850 in compensation, £400 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

Detective Constable Lea Pennington from North Herts CID praised the victims for coming forward. She said: "Behaviours such as those shown by Singh in these incidents will not be tolerated and those who think it is acceptable to commit such crimes will be brought to justice.

"I would like to thank the victims for their bravery and courage in reporting the incidents and supporting the investigation."

DC Pennington added that Hertfordshire Constabulary remains committed to tackling violence against women and girls, aligning with the ongoing 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based abuse.

More information on local support services and the county's work to combat violence against women and girls can be found at: www.herts.police.uk/vawg