A DEVIANT who preyed on teenagers and a child, sexually assaulting them on buses across Oxfordshire, has been spared jail.

In one of his eight instances of sexual assault Phillip Brock targeted an eight-year-old child and also followed a woman he had groped to a job centre.

The 62-year-old of Hertford Close, Bicester, had already admitted eight counts of sexual assault.

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Oxford Crown Court heard at his sentencing hearing on Monday how the victims had all been left with various psychological problems, including anxiety and a fear of going outside.

Outlining the case prosecutor Jane Brady said the abuse involved five victims on various dates between January and October last year.

Detailing the incidents she said they took place on buses around Oxfordshire and involved teenagers, women and one child - none of whom can be named for legal reasons.

On one occasion Brock touched a woman's thigh and stroked her hair while on a bus leaving St Aldate's.

He also hit that woman's backside during the assault.

Another woman was assaulted on a bus from Wallingford to Didcot where Brock repeatedly touched her thigh.

He went on to follow that woman to a job centre.

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One of his assault involved an eight-year-old girl while on a bus from Didcot, where he stroked his victim's hair.

Victim personal statements read to the court revealed that the victims had suffered problems including anxiety and stress as a result of the bus attacks.

In mitigation Brock's defence barrister Peter Du Feu said: "He does understand the hurt that he has caused.

"He does understand that what he was up to on these buses was very wrong."

He added that his client had been described as having 'moderate learning difficulties' and that his level of disability was 'quite profound.'

Sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle QC said: "You have got to understand that this behaviour is totally unacceptable, it must never ever happen again."

Brock was handed a one-year jail term, suspended for two years and he must complete 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement and 40 days sexual offending behaviour programme. He was also banned from public transport for life and will sign the sex offenders register.