A POLISH man who groped three women and a girl in Weymouth told a court that such behaviour was acceptable in his homeland.

Thomasz Stepniowski, 24, of Dorchester Road, Weymouth, admitted four offences of intentionally touching a woman in a sexual manner when he appeared before Weymouth magistrates.

Lucy Davis, prosecuting, said the first incident in April involved a 15-year-old girl in Gloucester Street who stepped aside to let him pass.

As she did so Stepniowski reached out, pushed her against a wall and fondled her breasts, speaking in a way she thought was Polish, before heading off towards the Esplanade.

Miss Davis said the girl was left stunned and she did not report the matter to police until several days later when encouraged to do so by a relative.

The second incident in June involved a 26-year-old woman who was followed at about 7.15pm in St Alban Street where she had her breasts fondled. She raised her arm to fend him off and he ran away towards Debenhams.

The woman was left very shocked and shaken and immediately called police who obtained CCTV images of the man involved from cameras in nearby St Thomas Street.

Miss Davis said a third incident several days later involved an 18-year-old woman in Hardwick Street walking home after work at 5.35pm who had her bottom pinched by Stepniowski who was laughing as he did so.

She was left very scared, did not report the matter immediately to police and, said Miss Davis, now feels very vulnerable'.

The final incident on August 27 involved a 45-year-old woman in Dorchester Road who was carrying heavy carrier bags in each hand.

Miss Davis said that as she passed Stepniowski he reached out and grabbed her right breast, grunting as he did so.

She added that the woman swore at him and used her mobile phone to call police as he stepped back and ran off.

Images of Stepniowski were publicised by the Dorset Echo and he was identified and later arrested at his home, said Miss Davis.

Stepniowski said the behaviour he had committed was acceptable in Poland and he asked for his apologies to be passed to the women he attacked. He added that he admitted four or five other offences as well.

Ian Graham, defending, said: "The world we live in is a unique and culturally diverse place. All of us in this country do not accept that the touching of women's breasts and bottoms in a sexual manner is acceptable."

But he said that Stepniowski had been in the country less than a year and did not believe his behaviour would result in the matter going to court.

He added that Stepniowski, who appeared in court with a male interpreter, had previously had a female Polish national interpreter who said his claims about such behaviour being acceptable in Poland were correct and that she was extremely shocked' that a female of this country would report such behaviour to the police and that the matter would go to court.

She would give evidence to that effect at Stepniowski's sentencing, he said, either by appearing or by statement.

The case was adjourned for sentencing and Stepniowski was granted bail on condition that he must not apply for a new passport.