A man who performed a sex act on himself as he stood behind a tourist, in daylight in Durham, was told he should expect to receive a prison sentence.

The judge in the case at Durham Crown Court said two psychiatric reports on defendant Kurtis Russell Mawson have assessed he poses a sexual risk to women.

He was arrested following inquiries into an incident which took place on Prebends Bridge, in Durham, on Wednesday June 28, last year.

Mawson was said to have stood behind the female tourist as she was taking pictures of Durham Cathedral, shortly before 5pm.

The Northern Echo: Tourist was taking pictures of Durham Cathedral when defendant, Kurtis Mawson, performed a sex act

The woman heard him approaching but did not turn around as she assumed he was also taking pictures of the cathedral.

Shortly afterwards she realised she had been sexually assaulted, leaving DNA evidence on her skirt.

The victim asked for help from others nearby who said they had seen a man in a brown hoodie running away.

She made her way to a shop where staff called for the police and officers launched an investigation.

After various lines of inquiry were followed over ensuing weeks, including a media appeal released in early August, it resulted in a call from a member of the public who reported seeing a man matching the description of the suspect on the same bridge.

As officers made their way to the scene, an off-duty police officer apprehended the 21-year-old, who was promptly arrested.

The Northern Echo:

Despite denying the offence, the defendant was subsequently charged with sexual assault when a forensic sample the victim’s skirt was found to match his.DNA.

Mawson, of High Street, Willington, admitted the charge when he appeared appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on August 11, and was remanded in custody.

Sentence has since been adjourned pending inquiries into other possible offences of a sexual nature committed by the defendant.

He appeared by video link to the court today (Wednesday January 24) from nearby Durham Prison, where he is on remand.

Kate Barnes, prosecuting, told the hearing a letter from the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that five new charges have been brought, and that it was, “uncontested” that they have been admitted.

Judge James Adkin said psychiatric reports were previously requested to consider the defendant’s “dangerousness”.

The judge said there were now two reports which both suggested, “he is dangerous”.

Addressing Mawson, Judge Adkin told him: “The prosecution has brought fresh charges against you which will resolve with guilty pleas, and, with that, you will be sentenced on March 1 when you should expect to receive a custodial sentence.”

In the meantime, the defendant will remain in custody, prior to sentence on Friday March 1.

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Following his arrest and admission to the Prebends Bridge incident, PC Katie Warren, of Durham Police, said: “This was a traumatic incident for the victim whose visit to our city was understandably marred by Mawson’s despicable actions.

“Our officers worked tirelessly to apprehend Mawson and want to thank all those that gave us information from our appeal to help take such a dangerous offender off the streets.”

She added that if anyone believes they have been the victim of sexual abuse, in any form, they should come forward and report it to police, ether using the 101 number, or, in an emergency, by calling 999.