Sex Offender Convicted of Assault on Busy Renfrew High Street
A vile sex offender has been found guilty of assaulting a man by shoving his hand down his trousers.
Rohit Choudhary, 32, attacked the man in a busy high street where he tried to push and kiss him. Choudhary was found to have attacked the unnamed man in Renfrew, Scotland, on January 8, 2023.
The court heard that he approached the victim, before shoving him and attempting to kiss him on a crowded high street.
Then, he inserted his hand into his victim’s trousers and groped him.
Denied Charges
After the horrifying attack, Choudhary was taken into custody by police. However, he then denied the charges of sexual assault against him.
Eventually, he was found guilty by a unanimous jury decision of sexual assault at Paisley Sheriff Court.
Choudhary has been placed on the sex offenders’ register, though the length of his time on the register will be determined at his sentencing next month.
His defence called on the court to allow their client on bail, where he now finds himself.
Rising Sexual Assaults on Transport
The conviction comes as new figures reveal a shocking rise in sexual assaults on public transport across the UK. According to police data, the number jumped from 1,676 cases in 2023/24 to 1,799 cases in 2024/25.
After news of the huge spike broke, Ciara Bergman, CEO of Rape Crisis England & Wales, a charity that seeks to end sexual violence, said: “Every day, millions of people use UK railways to get to work, take their children to school, and go about their daily lives.
“It should go without saying that anyone doing so should not experience or witness sexual assault or harassment, or be in fear of this.
“And yet what these statistics illustrate, is just how prevalent sexual violence, abuse and harassment are on public transport, and that women and girls are particularly at risk.”
Transport Crime Statistics
Just under 700 assaults were recorded on the London Underground, accounting for 40 per cent of all cases.
However, Network Rail also recorded a staggering 148 sexual assaults between 2024 and 2025.
The British Transport Police’s 2024 annual report showed that there has been a 10% rise in recorded sexual offences against women on railways from the previous year, with numbers up from 2,246 to 2,475.
The report suggests that these rising figures may be because more women are reporting their experiences, rather than necessarily indicating an increase in sexual crimes on public transport. However, experts believe this is just a fraction of the sexual offences that take place.
A survey of 2,000 people commissioned by British Transport Police last year found that over a third of women had been a victim of sexual harassment or sexual offending on their commute. This doesn’t match the statistics in their annual report because many women do not report their experiences.
Sexual Offences Register
In Scotland, those convicted of sexual offences are automatically placed on the sex offenders’ register, formally known as notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
The length of time an offender remains on the register depends on the sentence received. For sentences of imprisonment for a term of 30 months or more, the notification period is indefinite. For imprisonment of more than 6 months but less than 30 months, the period is 10 years.
For sentences of 6 months or less, or hospital orders, the notification period is 7 years. For any other disposal, including community sentences, the period is 5 years. These periods are halved for offenders who were under 18 at the time of conviction.
Paisley Sheriff Court
Paisley Sheriff Court, where Choudhary was convicted, is located in St James Street, Paisley, Renfrewshire. The neoclassical building, completed in 1885, is a Category A listed building that serves as one of Scotland’s busiest sheriff courts.
The court handles a range of criminal cases, from minor offences to serious crimes that don’t warrant High Court proceedings. It has been the venue for several high-profile cases over the years, including the 1996 fatal accident investigation into the Mull of Kintyre Chinook crash.
Choudhary will return to the court next month for sentencing, where the sheriff will determine the length of his placement on the sex offenders’ register and any additional penalties.
Support for Victims
Victim Support Scotland provides assistance to those affected by sexual crimes, with services available at courts including Paisley Sheriff Court. The organisation offers emotional support, practical help, and information about the criminal justice process.
Anyone who has experienced sexual assault is encouraged to report it to police by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency. Support is also available through the National Sexual Assault Helpline on 0808 802 9999.
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Image Credit:
Paisley Sheriff Court – Photo by Stephen Sweeney, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Geograph / Wikimedia Commons.
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