Serial Rail Offender Jailed After Targeting Child on Train

A repeat sex offender who targeted a child on a train has been sent back to prison after a British Transport Police investigation uncovered his latest offence.

Tajinder Sabherwal, 44, of High Street in Bedford, was jailed for two years and two months at St Albans Crown Court on 7 April. He had admitted a charge of Outraging Public Decency and was also issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The court heard that on 22 March last year, a mother and her 11‑year‑old daughter were travelling from London St Pancras to Peterborough when Sabherwal boarded the train. He sat in a position that placed the child directly in his line of sight. Moments later, the mother turned to see him touching himself over his shorts while staring at her daughter.

When she looked back again and made eye contact, Sabherwal realised he had been seen and quickly moved away down the carriage. The mother immediately used BTP’s 61016 text‑to‑report service, prompting officers to board the train at Biggleswade. By then, Sabherwal had already left the service.

Detectives later identified him as the offender. He handed himself in at Luton police station but refused to answer any questions, giving no comment throughout the interview process.

Sabherwal has a long record of sexual offending on the rail network. In 2021 he was jailed for 18 months for exposing himself to women and touching himself inappropriately at stations and on trains across London and Surrey.

BTP Detective Constable Agata Barker said:

“This was an extremely disturbing incident for the victim and her mother. Sabherwal stooped to a new low, committing this vile offence while staring at a young child. He is evidently a repeat offender and poses a serious danger to women and girls, so I am pleased to see him return to jail where he can’t target the public with his repulsive behaviour. I would urge anyone who witnesses or experiences sexual offending on the railway to report it to us by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40. In an emergency, always dial 999.”

Image: British Transport Police