A Canberra man who sexually assaulted three young strangers in public has been rated a high risk of reoffending.
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Joshua Thomas Hile, 25, has previous convictions for stalking and breached a court sentence at the time of the offences in late 2012.
Hile pleaded guilty in the ACT Supreme Court to charges of theft, committing an act of indecency, and assault with intent to commit an act of indecency.
Hile's first victim was in Civic when he grabbed her from behind about 7.30am on October 12.
He wrapped both his arms around her, pinning her arms to her own body, and then rubbed her genital area over her clothing.
The victim attempted to twist her body to break free from his grip, and he fled when she swore at him
On the same day, he grabbed a woman, who had been listening to music on an iPod, from behind, put his hands under her dress, and rubbed her genital area outside of her stockings.
Hile stole the woman's iPod and ran after she fell to the ground and screamed.
On 22 November, Hile followed a woman walking through the Australian National University grounds about 9.40pm.
He grabbed her from behind in a bear hug and touched her genital area outside her clothing.
She struggled, swore, and broke free before Hile fled.
A presentence report author said Hile claimed to have no memory of the attacks, had little insight into his behaviour, and an apparent inability to identify behaviour that would protect against further offending.
The author rated him a high risk of reoffending.
Acting Justice David Robinson on Wednesday sentenced Hile to 38 months jail, with a non-parole period of 18-months.
He will be eligible for release in February 2017.
The court heard no evidence about the offenders sexual urges during sentencing.
"I cannot, in these circumstances, make any precise finding about the reason for the attacks on the women and the apparent gratification enjoyed by the offender in the course of the attack," Acting Justice Robinson said.
"I do, on the evidence, regard these attacks as opportunistic in the sense that the offender targeted women of a certain age who happened to be on the streets when the offender saw them.
"It is not possible to make a more specific finding."
The judge said Hile had shown little interest in rehabilitation and the only thing in his favour had been his relative youth.
"As a community we can only hope that the offender takes advantage of his further opportunities whilst in jail to rehabilitate himself
"The adult sex offender program is available to the offender if he wishes to take it up."
