Predator Convicted After String of Sexual Assaults Across Tube and Rail Network

A man who carried out a series of sexual assaults across London’s transport network and beyond has been convicted following a disturbing pattern of behaviour that left victims traumatised and fearful.

Craig Anderson targeted women at Bank, Liverpool Street and Westminster Underground stations, as well as at Redhill in Surrey, over several months last year. The 38-year-old was seen on CCTV pushing through ticket barriers at Bank station on June 14 as he searched for a lone victim, grinning as he moved through the station. In one of the assaults, the court heard, Anderson laughed while his victim screamed and broke down in tears.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court was told the offences took place between June and October. Anderson groped one woman as she climbed a staircase and later approached another passenger on a train to Gatwick, asking her what she would do if he tried to kiss her. Even after she warned him she would report him, he attempted to kiss her regardless.

The court also heard how Anderson engaged in persistent stalking after meeting a woman on a train, repeatedly contacting her from eight different phone numbers. In August, he sent her a sexually explicit image without her consent, later attempting to dismiss his behaviour as “playful”.

Anderson was convicted of four counts of sexual assault against a woman and found guilty of stalking involving serious alarm or distress between June 26 and October 3. Following the verdicts, he shouted from the dock: “I can do what I want about girls”.

Ellen Alexander, prosecuting, said:

“He was deliberately targeting vulnerable women alone on public transport for sexual pleasure. He did not take no for an answer. He walks away smiling and sticking his tongue out. He does not understand the seriousness of what he has done.”

British Transport Police described Anderson as a serious danger to women, highlighting his conduct both during the offences and throughout the investigation.

The BTP investigating officer said:

“Anderson is a dangerous predator who preyed on women for his own sexual gratification. During his initial questioning he smirked his way through providing no comment responses, highlighting his lack of remorse for his actions. It is thanks to the brave victims who supported this investigation that we have seen him convicted for these heinous crimes. If you experience or witness a sexual offence on-board a train or at a station, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016. We take all reports seriously, and do everything possible to bring them to justice.”

Image: British Transport Police