GMPA man who sexually assaulted multiple young women in an underpass in Manchester has had his jail sentence increased after judges found his punishment to be too lenient.
Robert Emmerson, 40, exposed himself to and attacked the females between November 2023 and April 2024.
He denied attacking women, who were mostly students, near Mancunian Way but was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison in January.
Three senior judges at the Court of Appeal increased Emmerson’s sentence to seven years with a further three on licence after the case was referred by the Solicitor General.
Some of the women, the oldest of whom was 24, reported seeing Emmerson expose himself before chasing them and pinning them to the floor and groping them.
He also exposed himself to two girls, aged 13 and 16, in his home neighbourhood of Wythenshawe.
Gemma White, for the Solicitor General, said: “They were all young ladies in a remote location.
“They had headphones on so would not have been aware of their surroundings.”
One victim said he stood over her with his hands behind his head “like a bear”, while others said he was grinning during the attacks, Ms White added.
Greater Manchester Police were able to identify Emmerson through DNA testing, CCTV footage and a media appeal, officers said.
The court also heard how Emmerson had previous convictions for stalking and exposure from 2015.
‘Escalating risk of sexual offending’
Lord Justice Edis, sitting with Mrs Justice Stacey and Judge Usha Karu, said rehabilitation for Emmerson was “limited” because of his “persistent, determined and almost delusional denial” of his crimes.
The judge also referenced victim impact statements from the women, who described feeling “increased fear, panic, caution in going out in public places and a lack of trust in the world around them”.
Lord Justice Edis said: “That serious consequence of offending may resolve in some cases, but in many cases, if not all, will leave a lifelong legacy of fear and harm in places where they ought to feel safe.”
He also described Emmerson’s behaviour as “obsessive”, adding: “It is in some cases a mark of an offender who poses an escalating risk of sexual offending.
“That has proved to be the case in the case of this offender.
“He has progressed on a very substantial number of occasions to serious contact offending.”
Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said: “I was sickened and angered to read of the offender’s numerous sexual assaults against women and young girls.
“His increased sentence clearly shows that sex offenders will be brought to justice and face the penalty they deserve.”
