A “dangerous predator” who followed women and girls to quiet areas before exposing himself has escaped prison.

According to South Yorkshire Police, Nuno Dias “stalked” his victims through Rotherham and Barnsley and then performed obscene acts in front of them.

Sheffield Crown Court heard that on one occasion the 44-year-old man sexually assaulted a woman on the Trans Pennine Way in the Dearne Valley.

Dias, of Hallam Close, Rotherham, who pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent exposure and one count of sexual assault, was sentenced on Thursday to 54 weeks in prison, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to carry out 55 rehabilitation activity days, 43 accredited sex offender program days and 60 hours of unpaid work.

Police said Dias exposed himself to a woman on Moor Road in Wath upon Dearne and then engaged in sexually explicit behavior in front of two teenage girls in the same area the next day.

A week later, Dias exposed himself to a woman and sexually assaulted her on the Trans Pennine Way in the Dearne Valley.

Police investigations later revealed that Dias would follow his victims on foot or in his car for long periods of time, waiting until they were alone or isolated.

Det Sgt David Baker and DC Dawn Murray said: “Dias displayed dangerous, predatory behaviour.

“We want to commend the women and girls in this case for their courage in reporting these heinous crimes to us.”

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