'Smiling' predator pounced on women in horror sex attacks in Mancunian Way underpass

A predator was 'smiling' and 'enjoying himself' as he attacked young women walking near a university.

Robert Emmerson, 40, faces a lengthy jail sentence after being convicted of a string of sex attacks. The pervert exposed himself to a number of women and committed sexual assaults.

Emmerson’s victims ran away 'terrified’ after he pounced on them in the underpass beneath the Mancunian Way as they walked to or back from Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) during 'daylight hours'.

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Emmerson denied all charges but a jury unanimously convicted him today (October 23) after deliberating for about an hour. He was found guilty of five counts of sexual assault and seven counts of exposure.

Manchester Crown Court heard that Emmerson’s victims recalled how he was 'smiling' and 'enjoying himself' while he attacked the women in a 'bear hug', before pinning them to the ground and groping them.

Emmerson was identified as a suspect after police noticed a ‘pattern’ of offences between November 2023 and April this year.

Speaking of the ‘pattern’, prosecutor Emma Kehoe said victims noted ‘how the attacker would lie in wait on the path and how the attacker would masturbate or touch his genitals, or in some cases grabbing them [complainants] in a bear hug and pulling them to the floor with his penis up against them’. She continued: "In some cases he groped their vaginas through clothing."

Ms Kehoe said multiple victims described the male as 'laughing', 'smiling', and 'making noises to suggest he was enjoying himself' as they screamed while he 'pinned them down' or 'lifted them up' and touched them sexually. All the victims were able to run away and report the incident to the police.

Emmerson was tracked down by police after the 'quick reports' of two alleged assaults on April 15, 2024. Officers were able to use CCTV to trace Emmerson's movements, and he was arrested on April 22 at his ex-partner's house in Wythenshawe.

Five victims positively identified Emmerson from an ID parade. Emmerson, of Lancaster Court, Manchester, is due to be sentenced next month.

After the hearing, Alex Mann, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: "Emmerson is a sexual predator who targeted women and girls in broad daylight. His depraved actions were carried out solely for his own sexual gratification and have had a severe impact on those he attacked.

"Emmerson showed no remorse, denying the offences and putting victims through the further trauma of having to relive their ordeal when giving evidence against him at a trial. I would like to thank the young women for reporting Emmerson and helping the Crown Prosecution Service and Greater Manchester Police to bring him to justice."