Man sexually assaulted woman in train toilet

A man who sexually assaulted two women on a train, trapping one of them in a toilet, has been jailed.

Daniel Odubanjo carried out the attacks on board a service from Shenfield, in Essex, to Chelmsford, on 29 November 2024.

The victims were aged 21 and 17, but one told Odubanjo she was only 14 to make him stop the attack, police said.

The 27-year-old, of King Avenue, Clapham, south London, was found guilty of false imprisonment and two counts of sexual assault on a female, and was jailed for six years at Chelmsford Crown Court earlier this month.

He was also given a sexual harm prevention order and prohibited from being under the influence of any intoxicating substance or liquor while on any form of public transport, public transport station, or Network Rail property.

British Transport Police (BTP) said Odubanjo had repeatedly banged on the toilet door on the train while it was engaged, and when the woman inside opened it, he pushed her back inside.

He locked the door, forcefully grabbing her wrists and sexually assaulting her.

The woman, who was 21 at the time, managed to open the door and attempt to get the attention of a fellow passenger but he grabbed her and pulled her back into the toilet where he continued the assault as she screamed for help.

Police said it was only when she lied about her age, claiming to be 14, that Odubanjo let her go and she left the train at Chelmsford.

Moments later, Odubanjo sat opposite a 17-year-old girl and asked her inappropriate questions before exposing himself.

When he left to go to the toilet, the teenager moved seats to sit closer to other passengers, telling them what had happened.

But Odubanjo returned, sat next to her and sexually assaulted her.

A passenger who was sat nearby grabbed Odubanjo off the girl.

The train was met by BTP officers at Hatfield Peverel station and Odubanjo was arrested.

Det Sgt Hayley Whyte said: "Odubanjo preyed on a young woman and a teenage girl in terrifying attacks just minutes apart.

"Both were left distressed and traumatised by the vile assaults he subjected them to."

She praised both victims for having the courage to report his crimes.

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