Exmouth creep jailed for assaulting and intimidating women

A man has been jailed after being found guilty of a series of violent and intimidating acts against multiple women. Daniel Lee Smith, 34, from Withycombe Road in Exmouth, has been sentenced at Exeter Magistrates' Court after admitting to two assaults, using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress and sending a communication of an indecent or offensive nature.

The court was told that the first offence occurred on Sidwell Street, Exeter, on Monday, 22 April, around 10.15am. The victim, a woman in her 30s, had just got off a bus when she noticed Smith, a stranger, close behind her. Smith complimented the woman before kicking her in the calf.

The second incident happened on the afternoon of Sunday, June 9. A 17-year-old girl remembers taking a bus into Exeter city centre with Smith seated at the front. She got off the bus and began walking towards Sidwell Street when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

Smith complimented her and attempted to strike up a conversation, but she ignored him. As she turned to walk away, Smith pushed her from behind and kicked her in the back of the leg, causing her to stumble. Both victims have been left traumatised by Smith's actions.

On Saturday, June 15, a 21-year-old woman was in the Red Cross charity shop in Exmouth when she encountered Smith in a doorway. He warned her to watch her back, leaving her feeling threatened and scared. The woman had previously been threatened and abused by Smith, who appears to be a notorious creep, including an incident where he approached her in a pub and pelted her with sauce packets.

The final incident occurred on Thursday, August 15, around 3.40 pm. A 33-year-old woman spotted Smith, who she knew, near the Parade in Exmouth. Smith approached her this time, extending his hand for a handshake. The woman declined and walked away, only to later receive a threatening and abusive message from Smith on Facebook.

Both female assault victims now live in constant fear and anxiety about running into Smith on the street. Smith was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison and given a four-year Criminal Behaviour Order.

Devon and Cornwall police said that 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, and making unwanted communication with a female.

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.”