Bridport Police have reported that a 45-year-old local man has been charged with a number of offences in the area, including stalking and assault.

The man first appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court on Thursday, March 16 charged with stalking, sexual assault, three counts of assault, three counts of theft and four counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

The incidents he has been charged with are as follows:

• Between January 1 2020 and March 15 2023, it is alleged that the man stalked a woman in Bridport.
• Between June 1 2022 and August 1 2022, it is alleged that the man sexually assaulted a woman in Bridport.
• On Tuesday, February 7 2023 the man allegedly stole food and drink from Spar in East Street. It is also reported that he shouted abuse at a shop worker.
• It is reported that on Wednesday, February 8 2023 the man stole a tip jar from Costa in West Street and verbally abused a member of staff.
• On Saturday, February 11 2023 it is alleged that the man stole a hat from a market stall in South Street. When the man was approached by two members of the public, they were reportedly assaulted.
• It is reported that on Saturday, March 4 2023, the man was abusive toward members of the public in Gundry Lane.
• An alleged assault and public order incident occurred on Monday, March 6 2023 in East Street.

The man is next due to appear at Poole Magistrates' Court on Monday, April 17 2023.