Flasher followed women to quiet areas, court hears

A "dangerous predator" who followed women and girls into quiet areas before exposing himself has avoided jail.

According to South Yorkshire Police, Nuno Dias "tracked" his victims in Rotherham and Barnsley and then carried out lewd acts in front of them.

On one occasion the 44-year-old sexually assaulted a woman on the Trans Pennine Trail in Dearne Valley, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

Dias, of Hallam Close, Rotherham, who pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent exposure and one count of sexual assault, was handed a 54-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, on Thursday.

He was also ordered to carry out 55 rehabilitation activity days, 43 accredited sex offender programme days and 60 hours of unpaid work.

Police said Dias exposed himself to a woman on Moor Road in Wath upon Dearne and performed a lewd act in front of two teenage girls in the same area the following day.

A week later, Dias exposed himself to a woman on the Trans Pennine Trail in the Dearne Valley and sexually assaulted her.

Police enquiries later revealed Dias had followed his victims for prolonged periods of time, either on foot or in his car, and waited until they were alone or isolated.

Det Sgt David Baker and DC Dawn Murray said: “Dias displayed dangerous, predatory behaviour.

“We want to commend the women and girls in this case for their bravery in reporting these heinous crimes to us."

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