Man given hospital order after city sex attacks
Avon and Somerset PoliceA 31-year-old man has been given a hospital order after committing a series of sexual offences against women in Bristol.
A trial of facts found Haroon Shahid, from Fishponds, carried out two counts of attempted rape and one sexual assault in the Clifton and Redland areas last year.
Investigating officer Det Con Florence Dickinson praised three victims who she said had each "played an invaluable part in ensuring a dangerous sexual offender is off the streets and unable to commit any further harm".
An additional section 41 restriction means Shahid can only be discharged from hospital if the justice secretary agrees.
Shahid was given a hospital order under section 37 of the Mental Health Act.
His arrest followed work led by Avon and Somerset Police's dedicated rape and serious sexual assault investigation team, Operation Bluestone.
Det Con Dickinson said the three victims had shown "incredible strength and bravery in coming forward to report their experiences", support the investigation and attend court.
"We believe there may be more victims out there who've yet to come forward, as we strongly suspect Shahid was targeting young women in Clifton and Redland during early 2024," she added.
The officer urged anyone affected, or who wanted to speak to police, to call 101 or contact officers online, using the reference number: 5224075576.
The jury at Bristol Crown Court came to a unanimous decision on 19 March following the trial of the facts
The process is held when, based on medical evidence, a court decides a person is unfit to stand trial. A trial of the facts is then held to determine whether the accused has committed the offences alleged.