Woman Groped By Passer-By

A Bromley man with mental health issues, whose illness lowers his inhibitions, couldn't resist touching a neighbour's rear as she leaned into her car to adjust a child's seat.

Kevin Rhodes, 48, of Widmore Road pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) yesterday to assaulting Donna Gavin in nearby Florence Road on October 12, last year.

The court heard the woman was leaning into her vehcicle to adjust the child car seat when Rhodes, who was strolling past, reached out and touched her just below the bottom.

“She thought it was a friend and turned around and said: 'hello,' but it was this defendant and they were strangers to each other,” explained the prosecutor.

“She followed him in the car and took a photo of him with her phone and took it to the police, where he was recognised by a local officer.”

Rhodes, who is bi-polar, was questioned about the incident, but had no recollection.

The court heard the condition the first-time offender has reduces his inhibitions and he has been hospitalised three times with symptoms of mania.

Rhodes was conditionally discharged for twelve months.