A man who carried out a sex attack on a woman and indecent acts, in full view of a popular Isle of Wight cycle track, learned his fate when he appeared before magistrates in Newport.

Laurence Marsden, of Bernard Road, Cowes, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman on June 26.

He had earlier admitted two counts of exposure, in Cowes, on June 26 and July 1, and possession of cannabis on July 30.

A trial took place the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court.

On June 26, the victim was with another woman, both dog walkers, on the Red Squirrel Trail cycle track — the old Cowes to Newport railway line — when they saw Marsden masturbating in full view, said Liz Miller, prosecuting.

As he was committing the lewd act, Marsden asked them, "Do you like it?", before he touched one of the women's breasts, the trial heard.

The victim tried to fend him off using a dog lead.

The incident was not reported immediately but photos of Marsden, taken by one of the women on the same cycle track within days of the incident, were passed to the police.

Marsden, 24, was walking a Jack Russell on both occasions.

Marsden, again with his terrier, committed an incident act on the footpath on July 2, in front of a female jogger, who reported it.

On July 30, police officers on patrol in Northwood Park, saw Marsden walking his Jack Russell.

When questioned, Marsden — who lives close to the cycle track — refused to co-operate and walked off, but was arrested.  

For Marsden, Barry Arnett said his client is autistic and was left "confused, anxious and very upset about what happened".

A report, following a detailed assessment, concluded Marsden was an increased risk to the public.

Mr Arnett said Marsden's parents, who supported their son in court, were "very shocked about what went on".

Marsden was handed 12 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and was made subject to an order that includes 100 hours' unpaid work, 40 rehabilitation sessions and nine months of being electronically monitored of his whereabouts.

Marsden will pay £650 costs and a £154 surcharge and register as a sex offender.