Cyclist, 21, jailed after grabbing and slapping 20 females including girl, 14, on the street over eight days
A SICK cyclist has been jailed for 14 months after he sexually assaulted twenty women and girls over EIGHT days.
Joshua Etchells deliberately targeted lone women as he rode his bike to and from work around Cheshire and Greater Manchester.
Etchells, 21, would ride up behind his female victims, who were aged between 14 and 15, and then forcefully slap them on their bottoms.
The serial sex attacker would then flee the scene on his bike as they screamed at him or cried, deliberately targeting those wearing headphones.
In just one day he assaulted three different women in the space of 40 minutes.
On another day a further nine women were assaulted - four in the morning between 9am and 9.35am and five in the late afternoon between 4pm – 6.20pm.
His teenage victim, 14, was left ''shocked, confused, scared and disgusted'' after the assault but later urged her horrified mother not to bother calling police saying “that’s just what boys do”.
He continued to assault the women even after one of them posted details of the attacks on Facebook – with vigilantes threatening to push the culprit into the canal.
'F***ING PERVERT'
Etchells, who was 19 at the time of the attacks, donned a hoodie that covered his head during the incidents and had usually been smoking cannabis when he struck.
The joiner and carpenter, from Sale, Greater Manchester, would target women along the Bridgewater Canal tow path, Trans Pennine Way and along the banks of the River Mersey.
His final victim, 21, drove around the local area with her mother in an attempt to track him down, and spotted him minutes later.
She managed to snap a picture of him, which was passed on to cops, and shouted: “What the f***, you f***ing pervert you just sexually assaulted me.''
He was arrested after an unmarked police car spotted him riding around on his bike, and charged with 20 counts of sexual assault by touching.
Etchells, who pleaded guilty to all charges, has now been sentenced to 14 months in prison and must sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.
He needs to know his actions contribute to a culture where women don’t feel safe
37-year-old victim
One victim, 37, told the court: ''I want the man who did this to know that what was a short lived thrill for him has had a huge impact on me, and no doubt the other women involved.
''There was nothing funny or frivolous about what he did.
"Women everywhere live in fear everyday of sexual violence and he probably thought what he did was insignificant, but he needs to know his actions contribute to a culture where women don’t feel safe.''
Another victim, aged 45, said: ''I am a regular runner and often run alone and now I am very aware of people around me.
"I live close to the canal and my children have often walked around there, but I can no longer feel safe in the place that we live.
''I can still feel the anxiety as I turned over my shoulder to see what seemed like masked figure up so close to my side and then the massive ‘whack’ as I was hit. This feeling has never left me.”
A mum-of-two, 42, who was a third victim explained: ''I have never again been able to relax while running in my local area, the neighbourhood that, before this incident I could walk and run around, as a way of switching off from my work and daily stresses.
''Now, I am always wary, fearful and always frightened of others and constantly looking over my shoulder when walking or running.
"I’m particularly scared of cyclists approaching from behind.
''Many times, I have jumped in shock and fear when someone has been approaching from behind.
''I should have the freedom to go out running on my own and feel safe and not worry about what is going to happen to me.
"I used to think Sale was a safe place to run however when I go out running again I am going to be really conscious of everyone who goes near me.”
Women everywhere live in fear of sexual violence every day and what you've done only worsens a culture where women do not feel safe.
Judge Landale
The incidents happened between March 1 and March 7 this year, as he travelled to work on a building site in Hale, near Altrincham.
Minshull Street Crown Court heard that he would ride his mountain bike to and from work, starting at 8am and finishing around 4.30pm.
Harriet Lavin prosecuting added: “Fourteen of the victims were out running, six were walking and most were alone at the time they were assaulted.
''In each case the defendant approached his unsuspecting victim from the rear on his mountain bike and without warning slapped or grabbed their buttocks.
“Most if not all the offences were planned. He took care to conceal his identity. He was unmoved by numerous instances of his victims shouting out their anger and disgust.”
'TWISTED BEHAVIOUR'
Defence counsel Amanda Johnson said that Etchells was “extremely remorseful” for what he did and that it is “difficult” to understand why.
Sentencing Judge Tina Landale told Etchells: '' These offences were planned by you. They occurred on consecutive days, and there were multiple offences on the same day.
''You changed your route on occasion to approach them from behind. These were not spontaneous attacks, they were deliberate and you have caused ongoing psychological distress.
“Women everywhere live in fear of sexual violence every day and what you've done only worsens a culture where women do not feel safe.''
Detective Inspector Helen Bagnall of GMP added: "Etchells' twisted behaviour was nothing short of deplorable and he felt he was untouchable and would be able to flee each assault with little consequence.
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"I'm glad we've now been able to place him behind bars where he will have plenty of time to reflect on his actions.
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"I hope today also serves as a reminder that GMP will do all in its power to ensure those responsible for such disgusting behaviour are identified and face the appropriate justice.
"No woman should be made to feel unsafe when she walks the street and I'm glad that today we have been able to remove another dangerous individual from our community."
