Coventry Man Sentenced After Sexually Assaulting Women On London-Bound Trains

A 31-year-old man has been jailed after sexually assaulting two women on separate commuter services between Hampshire and London.

Esosa Eguakin, of Courtelle Road, Coventry, admitted two counts of sexual assault at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to two years in prison at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday 10 February. In addition to the custodial term, the court imposed a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order restricting his behaviour, including a ban on sitting or standing next to or opposite lone women.

The court heard that the first offence took place on 21 August last year on a Fratton to London Waterloo service shortly after 7.15am. Eguakin deliberately chose a seat behind a woman in her 30s and sexually assaulted her during the journey.

A second incident occurred on 6 October, just after 6am, on a train travelling from Eastleigh to London Waterloo. On that occasion, he assaulted another woman. When confronted, he claimed he had been trying to retrieve a dropped phone. He refused to move away, prompting an off-duty police officer to step in and escort him off the train at Woking. The officer arrested him and detained him at the station until uniformed colleagues arrived and took him into custody.

British Transport Police detectives led the subsequent investigation into both offences, which resulted in Eguakin being formally charged and later pleading guilty.

BTP Detective Constable David Stewart said:

“Eguakin’s behaviour was predatory and deeply distressing for both victims. No one should feel unsafe or be subjected to such violations as they travel. I want to thank the women involved for their courage in supporting our investigation, as well as the off-duty officer whose swift actions prevented further harm. This sentence, along with the SHPO, sends a clear message that we will pursue offenders and ensure they are held to account. If you experience or witness a sexual offence on a train or at a station, please report it to us by texting 61016. In an emergency, always call 999. We take every report seriously and will stop at nothing to bring sexual offenders like Eguakin to justice.”

Image: British Transport Police