A man under arrest for a string of attacks on women is now facing a total of 27 charges, eight of those sexual assaults.
Twenty-five year old Gavin Sean Griffiths of Ottawa is now charged with eight counts of sexual assault, nine counts of mischief, nine counts of breach of probation and one count of criminal harassment.
The charges relate to a string of incidents where a man approached women from behind and pulled down their pants between April 14 and May 7 in several locations around the capital.
"We're very pleased that this will hopefully bring some relief to the community and most importantly to the victims," said Staff Sgt. John McGetrick with the Ottawa police.
"For someone to go through a horrendous event like this, a charge will never fix the damage but hopefully bring some type of closure to these folks."
Police said they're still investigating the man who is known to them and has a criminal record.
"It's bothersome to know that he was so close to us," said Jennifer Lough, who along with her children lives a few doors down from Griffiths' ex-girlfriend.
"It's a big relief knowing that if he's the person he's off the streets and my children can play freely again."
Griffiths was arrested on Wednesday at about 7 p.m. while riding on a public transit bus in the west end.
The accused appeared in court Thursday afternoon and is scheduled to appear again on Tuesday, May 15.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Sexual Assault/Child Abuse Section at 613-236-1222 ext. 5944 or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477 (TIPS).
With reports from CTV Ottawa's Ellen Mauro and Joanne Schnurr
