A man has been jailed after being convicted of acts of violence and intimidation against a number of women.

Daniel Lee Smith, 34, of Withycombe Road in Exmouth, appeared Exeter Magistrates’ Court recently for sentence after pleading guilty to two assaults, using threatening/abusive/insulting words/behaviour to cause harassment/alarm or distress and sending a communication of an indecent/offensive nature.

Smith was jailed for 24 weeks and given a four-year Criminal Behaviour Order. The court heard how the first offence took place in Sidwell Street, Exeter on Monday April 22 at around 10.15am.

The victim, a woman in her 30s, got off a bus and saw Smith, a stranger, close behind her. Smith complimented the woman before kicking her to the calf.

The second incident took place on the afternoon of Sunday June 9 and involved a 17-year-old female. The girl recalls taking a bus into Exeter City Centre and Smith being sat at the front.

She left the bus and started to walk towards Sidwell Street when she felt a tap on the shoulder. Smith then complimented her and tried to engage her in conversation, but she ignored him.

As she turned to walk away Smith pushed her to the back of the shoulders and kicked her to the back of the leg causing her to stumble.

Both of these victims have been left shaken by Smith’s actions.

On Saturday June 15, a 21-year-old woman was in the Red Cross charity shop in Exmouth when she passed Smith in a doorway. He told her to watch her back, causing her to feel threatened and frightened.

The woman had been threatened and abused by Smith previously, on one occasion Smith approaching her in a pub and throwing sauce packets at her. She has been left anxious and scared she will bump into him again.

The final incident took place on Thursday August 15 at around 3.40pm. A 33-year-old woman saw Smith, who was known to her, near to the Parade in Exmouth.

On this occasion Smith approached her and offered his hand to shake. The woman declined and walked away and later receiving an abusive and threatening Facebook message from Smith. She has also been left feeling nervous about bumping into Smith in the street.

Sector inspector for East and Mid Devon Grant Leitch said: “Devon and Cornwall Police is committed to the protection of women and young girls.

“My team have utilised intelligence, crime reports, extensive evidence gathering, inter agency liaison and relentless tenacity to ensure this case could be heard and Smith brought to justice.

“I am very grateful to my team and in particular the women who have come forward to give evidence and work with us.

“We are confident that this sentence, coupled with the Criminal Behaviour Order, will help protect women and society from Smith and stop him reoffending in the future. Any breaches of the order will see him back in court.” 

Smith’s Criminal Behaviour Order prevents him from:

  • Unreasonably approaching or communicating with any female in a private or a public place.
  • Sitting next to a female on public transport when other seating is available.
  •  Physically making contact with any female unless unavoidable.
  • Making unwanted communication with a female.