Predator Receives Jail Term and 10-Year Ban from Approaching Lone Women
A dangerous sexual predator who targeted lone women across London's transport network has been jailed for one year and 10 months. Craig Anthony Anderson, 38, was sentenced at The Old Bailey on March 23 following a series of sexual assaults and stalking incidents between June and October last year.
Series of Disturbing Assaults on Public Transport
Anderson's campaign of harassment began on June 14 when he followed a young woman up the stairs at Bank Underground Station. After asking for her name and phone number, he told her she looked "sexy" and sexually assaulted her when she asked him to leave her alone. CCTV footage captured Anderson sticking his tongue out and laughing as he walked away through the station.
Just over a week later, on June 26, Anderson approached another young woman on a train at Guildford. The pair exchanged phone numbers, but Anderson soon began harassing her with text messages for several weeks. When she declined his invitation to meet up, he followed her from Epsom railway station onto a train to Victoria on July 15, verbally abusing her and attempting to snatch her belongings. The court heard she was forced to hide in toilets at Canary Wharf until Anderson left.
Multiple Victims Targeted Across London
The predator continued his attacks throughout the summer. On August 2, he approached a woman exiting Liverpool Street station, tapping her on the arm to ask where she was going. When she refused to give her social media details, he exclaimed she was being difficult and requested to touch her. After she refused, Anderson sexually assaulted her before walking off.
Another woman was targeted at Westminster Underground Station on August 29. Anderson asked her for directions to Finchley and followed her up an escalator before sexually assaulting her, laughing as he turned to head back down.
The final known assault occurred on October 6 at Purley railway station. Anderson asked a woman for directions, then a series of personal questions before sitting next to her on a train. When she declined to give her contact details and said she wasn't interested, Anderson asked what she would do if he tried to kiss her. He sexually assaulted her after she said she'd report him to police, blocking her path as she attempted to get out of her seat. She eventually escaped at Redhill station.
Investigation and Arrest
British Transport Police officers identified Anderson from CCTV stills, and victims later pointed him out in an identification parade. Officers arrested Anderson as he attended an interview at the Passport Office, where he claimed he would be leaving the UK in a matter of weeks.
During transport to custody, Anderson made derogatory comments about the victims and, while under caution, claimed he had not been at the locations of the alleged assaults despite CCTV evidence proving otherwise.
Sentencing and Court Behavior
Following a trial in January, Anderson, of no fixed address, was found guilty of four counts of sexual assault and one count of stalking. In addition to his jail term, he received a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order that prohibits him from approaching, sitting, or standing near lone women. He also received two restraining orders.
Notably, Anderson left the dock before his sentence was revealed to the court. Detective Constable Libby Wildego from British Transport Police commented on his behavior, stating: "Just as he did throughout the assaults themselves, when we questioned him under caution he smirked throughout and offered no comment, highlighting the sheer lack of remorse for his actions."
Police Response and Victim Support
Detective Constable Wildego praised the bravery of the victims who came forward, saying: "It is thanks to the brave victims who came forward and supported our investigation that we have seen Anderson sentenced for his horrific crimes. Despite his own behavior in court where he voluntarily left before he received his sentence, I hope this result provides some sense of comfort for the victims."
She added: "Anderson is a dangerous predator who preyed on women for his own sexual gratification. If you experience or witness a sexual offence on a train or at a station, please report it to us by texting 61016. We take every report we receive seriously and will stop at nothing to bring sexual offenders like Anderson to justice."
