A man who allegedly groped a number of women in Melbourne’s CBD has been named.

Rashed Ateem, 36, attended the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with two counts each of sexual assault and assault police.

In a statement released after Mr Ateem’s arrest, police alleged he “groped and threatened” a number of women in Melbourne’s CBD in the afternoon of March 3.

Police said they responded to triple-0 calls about 5.30pm about a man who, allegedly, “appeared to be randomly assaulting members of the public, some in a sexual manner, near Flinders Street steps”.

Mr Ateem was arrested on Bourke St a short time later.

It’s alleged during his arrest, he spat at police and assaulted officers, resulting in a senior constable being taken to hospital for treatment.

In court, Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge adjourned Mr Ateem’s matter after a request from his lawyer to return to court on June 1. The accused man smiled at media as he left court.