A woman was forced to leave her job in Birmingham city centre after being sexually assaulted near a well-known landmark.
The victim, an office worker, was sitting by the ‘Floozie in the Jacuzzi’ fountain in Victoria Square when 37-year-old Roland Paskevics approached her and groped her. He then exposed himself by pulling down his trousers.
As she fled to seek help, Paskevics continued his spree, targeting two other women. He grabbed one woman’s chest and exposed himself again in a busy area.
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Paskevics, who has no fixed address, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges including assault by penetration, sexual assault, and indecent exposure. He was sentenced to two years and three months in prison.
The attacks occurred on June 4 last year. Prosecutor Peter Arnold described the sequence of events: Paskevics first sat next to the initial victim at the fountain. When she tried to leave, he placed his hand between her legs and exposed himself. She left distressed, with a witness coming to her aid.
As Paskevics moved on, he attacked two more women. One was grabbed on the breast, and later, Paskevics stood in a busy street, exposing himself to passersby. Police, alerted by the victims, arrested him promptly.
The first victim has since struggled with mental health issues including panic attacks and depression, requiring weekly therapy and ultimately resigning from her city centre job. The second victim reported ongoing pain and anxiety, leading her to avoid close contact and wear loose clothing.
Representing himself in court, Paskevics offered minimal explanation, attributing his behavior to cannabis use and loneliness, and declined to provide further details.
Despite no previous convictions, Paskevics had prior cautions for burglary and indecent exposure. Judge Simon Drew condemned the offenses as particularly disturbing due to the rapid succession and public nature of the attacks.