A man who ‘touched his nipples while masturbating in front of a woman’ on a train to Elephant and Castle has been jailed.
Highlighting this case British Transport Police are urging people to download a reporting app so passengers can discreetly contact them.
Bobby Garande, 29, pleaded guilty to outraging public decency at Central London Magistrates’ Court on April 6.
The judge sentenced him to 26 weeks in prison.
Police said that Garande was already on remand at HMP Thameside for a similar offence and breaching his community behaviour order when they arrested him for this offence.
Investigating officer T/PS James Mayled said: “Garande is a disturbing individual who made a targeted and prolonged attempt to masturbate in front of the victim for his own sexual gratification as she travelled home on her own.”
“It should go without saying that women and girls have the absolute right to use the railway safely and in peace, without offenders like Garande subjecting them to such repugnant behaviour.”
On October 14, 2021, Garande began by staring at his victim on the platform. He then boarded a train at Blackfriars at around 7.30pm, walking through several carriages to sit across from her.
Police said that Garande then spent fifteen minutes masturbating and touching his nipples while staring at his victim.
When she realised what he was doing, she alerted another female passenger and moved carriages.
Garande left the train at Elephant and Castle.
British Transport Police investigated CCTV footage and say Garande was quickly identified by officers and interviewed in prison.
T/PS James Mayled said: “Thankfully the railway network is generously covered with over 150,000 CCTV cameras – meaning the incident was captured clearly and in its entirety, and we were able to swiftly identify Garande and apprehend him.
“The custodial sentence he’s been handed shows just how seriously behaviour like this is taken, so I would urge anyone who experiences anything which makes them feel uncomfortable while travelling to let us know by texting us discreetly on 61016 or via the Railway Guardian app. We will always take you seriously.”