A TAUNTON man who sexually assaulted two young girls on a bus has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

David Best, 45, of Lyngford Place, Taunton, touched two 16-year-old girls inappropriately on Tuesday, February 23 of this year, Taunton Crown Court heard.

Prosecuting, Samuel Jones said: “The first victim was travelling on a bus between Bridgwater and Taunton for school. She noted another male passenger behind her when she sat down. The defendant put his hand between the gap in the seats and worked his fingers up and down her side like a spider.”

Best then started to stroke her left side and pulling at her top, the court heard.

“Frightened, the girl pushed the button to get off the bus. She later called her mother in tears and had to leave college,” Mr Jones said.
Best committed the second offence later the same day, again on a bus between Bridgwater and Taunton.

“This victim had dozed off with her legs across another seat. The defendant sat down opposite her, covering his hands with a fleece and she woke up when she felt something touching her leg but initially ignored and tried to go back to sleep,” Mr Jones said.

“She then felt him touching her lower leg and trying to stroke her thigh, she had the wherewithal to take two pictures which were later used in conjunction with CCTV footage to identify this defendant.”
Best initially denied the offences but had no explanation when confronted with the footage.

Defending, Amjam Arif said Best has recognised that he has an issue controlling his sexual urges and is on the road to addressing this offending behaviour.

“Mr Best says he has learned a lesson and does not want to offend again and there is no suggestion he has committed any further offences since February,” Mr Arif said.

Sentencing Judge John Ticehurst said it was obvious that Best was a serial offender.

“Your actions have caused serious psychological harm to your victims. One suffers from depression and has suffered panic attacks since your assault and both say they are reluctant to travel on public transport anymore,” Judge Ticehurst said.

“Your victims were particularly vulnerable, young girls travelling on public transport should expect to be treated with respect.
“You have been committing these sort of offences for over 25 years, keep doing so and you will be sent to prison.”

During the sentencing Best began sobbing, saying he needed help. He was sentenced to 42 months immediate imprisonment.

Following the verdict, Detective Constable Mark Schofield said: “David Best would target women travelling on public transport to commit sexual assaults on them. He caused his victims considerable distress.

“I’m pleased the courts have imposed a custodial sentence to protect the public from his offending and I hope it sends out a clear message that this behaviour is wholly unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”