Bus pervert fails to attend court hearing

Syed Ali Abbas, of Barlow Road, Levenshulme, pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual assault on 1 March and was due to appear before Manchester Magistrates' Court for sentencing.

But the 23-year-old English student did not attend and a warrant has now been issued for his arrest.

The court heard Abbas committed the sexual offences when travelling on the 192 bus into the city centre.

Tess Kenyon, prosecuting, told the hearing Abbas sat next to his first victim and began stroking her thigh.

She said when the victim complained,  he told her, 'you enjoyed it’. 

He then went to the top deck, where he continued to harass passengers, touching a second woman on her leg, the court heard. 

The hearing was told both victims told the driver and he immediately redirected the bus - including passengers - to Longsight police station, where Abbas was arrested.

The court heard Abbas told officers he was trying to be friendly but later apologised.

Alex Preston, defending, said Abbas had never had a girlfriend and was immature man. 

She told the court: “It was a very unpleasant incident and he cannot explain his actions.

"He is full of remorse.” 

District Judge Jonathan Taafe issued an arrest warrant without bail when the offender did not appear. 

Abbas is facing a jail sentence and registration on the Sex Offenders' Register.