A 53-year-old Belfast man has been jailed for two months at Derry Magistrates Court for assaulting a woman on a bus.

Steven Hamilton, of Upper Newtownards Road, was found guilty of one count of assault on a female on 23 May 2024. He had no prior connection to the victim.

District Judge Suzanne Rice said the young woman was left scared and anxious by Hamilton’s unwanted advances. She moved seats to escape him, and several members of the public intervened to have him removed from the bus. As he was put off, Hamilton shouted that the incident was her fault.

The judge noted Hamilton sought to minimise his behaviour and pointed to his record of 169 previous convictions. She praised the victim’s bravery in bringing the case forward.

A two-year restraining order was also imposed, forbidding Hamilton from contacting the woman.