A 47-year-old man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a teenager on a train from Birmingham New Street. Adrian White, of Sandringham Road, London, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault at Highbury Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, May 26, and was sentenced to eight months in prison.
Incident Details
The assault occurred on Friday, June 27 last year, on a train traveling from Birmingham New Street to London Euston. White entered a carriage where a group of friends, including an 18-year-old woman, were seated. He made inappropriate and lewd comments, 'bombarding' the victim with unwanted remarks.
When the victim stood up to leave the train at Coventry, White sexually assaulted her. The victim immediately reported the incident to rail staff, and White was removed from the train. He was subsequently arrested by British Transport Police officers, who gathered evidence leading to the charge.
Court Outcome
In addition to the prison sentence, White was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years. The court heard that White's behavior had unnerved the group, who made it clear they did not wish to engage with him.
Police Statement
British Transport Police Constable Dominic Johnston praised the victim's bravery, stating: 'White's sleazy and lewd behavior unnerved the women who made it abundantly clear they did not wish to engage with him. Despite this, White continued to harass the group before his behavior escalated and he sexually assaulted one of them.'
He added: 'I commend the victim's bravery in reporting what happened and for her constant and steadfast support of our investigation. I hope that this prison sentence will provide White with the opportunity to reflect upon his intolerable behavior.'
BTP encourages anyone who is a victim of or witness to sexual offending on the railway to report it by texting 61016.
