WARNING: The following includes graphic references to the incident.

A 20-year-old student was left terrified after a man targeted her in a sexual assault on board a Thameslink service, moments after giving her a thumbs-up gesture at Crawley station. The incident, which took place on September 22, was captured on station CCTV and later shown in court.

Footage from the station showed 27-year-old Hawre Mohamed speaking to the young woman near the barriers before pushing through them and signalling towards her. Prosecutors told the court that he had spent the day approaching random women before following the student onto her train home from college.

Once on board, Mohamed sat beside her in an almost empty carriage and told her: “I want to have sex with you,” before groping her and attempting to kiss her. The victim, trapped by a window seat, tried to move away, but Mohamed pressed himself towards her. As she pleaded with him to stop, he repeatedly shouted: “No, no, no.”

Barto de Lotbiniere, prosecuting, said Mohamed had initiated conversation at the barriers before purposely following her down the carriage. “He engaged her in conversation and squeezed her bum,” he told the court. “At one point, the defendant went in for a kiss and held the complainant's thigh once again. The defendant was a complete stranger to her.”

The student later described how he had been “staring at me in a very inappropriate way” before the assault began. She told the court: “I was very shaken and distressed. I felt violated.” She also recalled him asking her age and responding: “I don't go below 18 years old.”

Mohamed was living at the taxpayer-funded Four Points by Sheraton hotel near Gatwick Airport at the time, according to earlier reports. His asylum claim remains under consideration by the Home Office. When arrested, he told police: “I haven't done anything wrong.” In interview, he claimed the woman “wanted sex,” adding: “She had a nice attitude. I like to move my hands around. She was pleased. I could see that. She wanted sex. I don't know why her mood changed.”

His defence lawyer, Eleanor Umeyor, argued that Mohamed had “moved away” once “consent was withdrawn.” However, District Judge Nicola Fleck dismissed this, finding Mohamed guilty of sexual assault. She told him: “You followed her down the train and asked to sit next to her. I am satisfied that she did not request this, instigate it, or want it… she did not consent to this touching.”

Judge Fleck praised the victim’s evidence. “The complainant provided clear and consistent evidence and in my judgement was a witness of truth,” she said. The woman, who cannot be named, faced Mohamed directly as the verdict was delivered.

Mohamed broke down in tears upon hearing the decision. He was told he will be remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on December 8 and faces a prison term.

Image: Crown Prosecution Service