A cyclist who was known as the “Brighton bottom slapper” when he attacked lone women in a series of late-night sex assaults has not been sent to jail.
Constantin Barbutu, 22, would wear a hoodie to cover his face then he would go up to women and grope or slap them.
He initially denied 21 charges of sexual assault, but later admitted 11.
Barbutu was too “intellectually impaired” to cope behind bars, Hove Crown Court heard.
Judge David Rennie handed him a 12-month suspended sentence and ordered him to complete 40 days of rehabilitation.
During the sentencing hearing, Piers Reed, prosecuting, described a “campaign of sexual assault” by Barbutu, who would strike women “on the bottom” and ride off.
Mr Reed said the defendant was “always on a bike, always wearing a hoodie up”.
In victim impact statements read out in court, one woman said: “His behaviour was menacing and I was alone in a dark, isolated place where no-one would hear a scream.”
Another victim said she was “horrified” when Barbutu squeezed her on the bottom and then returned to do so again while she watched him circling her and “smirking”.
Sentencing, Judge Rennie told Barbutu he would have been jailed “were it not for the fact that two experts agree that you do have severely impaired intellectual functioning.” He is unable to speak English as a result of this.
“What you chose to do to these 11 women who are complete strangers to you – you caused great fear, ongoing anguish,” he said.
Sussex Police said it received 24 reports from women between September 2016 and February 2017.
Richard Elliott defending him said:
He is sorry for what he has done. Punishment will not help him. It will vindicate the public for what he has done but would not assist him in any way.”
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