Man jailed for sexually assaulting teenager on Glasgow bus

A serial sex offender made a 14-year-old girl sob after groping her on a busy bus.

Tharaneetharan Manikkavasagar also pounced on three other women on buses in Glasgow between June and October last year.

The 28-year-old fled the scene after sexually assaulting the terrified teenager on a First Bus.

He left another victim with semen on her clothing following an attack on her.

One woman was “horrified and shocked” after Manikkavasagar rubbed up against her.

Manikkavasagar is locked up after he pleaded guilty today at Glasgow Sheriff Court to the sex assaults.

He was also put on the sex offenders register and will be sentenced next month.

The court heard the 14-year-old got on the bus with a friend at Oswald Street in Glasgow city centre.

Manikkavasagar stood close to the teenager which made her feel “uncomfortable.”

Prosecutor Claire Wallace said: “She moved to stop contact but each time he moved beside her.

“Manikkavasagar pressed his hand against her bottom for a few seconds.

“A member of the public saw that the girl was crying and upset and asked what happened, but the accused had left.”

They shouted on Manikkavasagar to stop but was “walking quickly” down the street.

Manikkavasagar got on another bus in the city centre’s James Watt street.

The attacker thrusted against another victim, 18, on a different journey.

Manikkavasagar stood behind her and put his crotch against her.

Miss Wallace said: “He became more forceful and he pushed her forward. She got off the bus to get away from him.

The woman later contacted the police regarding the incident.

Manikkavasagar “thrust his body” against a woman, 28, when she got on a bus at Oswald street.

The woman got off the bus and reported the matter to the police.

Manikkavasagar rubbed himself against a 30-year-old woman when when she got on a bus at Argyle Street.

The woman originally thought it was “accidental” and moved, but he again pressed against her.

The victim was “shocked and horrified” by the incident.

He later got off the bus but was stopped by a member of the public who was told about the incident.

The police were contacted and officers used CCTV to identify him for the other attacks.

Manikkavasagar replied: “I did not do anything” in reply to caution and charge.

Sentence was deferred for background reports by Sheriff Andrew Cubie.

Manikkavasagar sobbed and said: "I'm sorry" as he was taken into custody.

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