Police praised the courage of victims who were sexually assaulted by a restaurateur described by a judge as a ‘dirty old man’.

A judge sentenced Hugh Anderson, aged 74, of Cowley Road, Oxford, to a year in prison, suspended for two years, at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday April 11.

Investigating officer PC Holly Bradley, based at Cowley police station, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the victims in this case - their bravery both throughout the investigation and during the trial was an inspiration.

“The judge described Hugh Anderson as a ‘dirty old man with an unhealthy obsession with young girls’, who was showing off to his friends with his unacceptable behaviour.

“I hope this result displays our zero tolerance to sexual assaults in Thames Valley Police and we will always work hard to bring such offenders to justice.”

Anderson sexually assaulted two women over their clothing at the Hi-Lo Jamaican Eating House on Cowley Road on April 23, 2022 and May 1, 2022.

A jury unanimously found Anderson guilty of two counts of sexual assault on a female at the same hearing.

Anderson also has to pay costs of £3,500 and will be registered as a sex offender for 10 years.

Anderson was charged via postal requisition with two counts of sexual assault on March 16 last year.