"Disturbing Individual" Pleasured Himself In Front Of Lone Female Train Passenger

A train pervert, who performed a sex act in front of a lone female he deliberately followed and sat opposite, has been locked-up.

Bobby Garande, 29, had been staring at the victim on the platform of Blackfriars station while waiting for a southbound Thameslink train at around 7.30pm on October 14, 2021.

After boarding, he walked through several carriages to deliberately sit in front of his chosen victim before masturbating while touching his nipples and staring at her.

Garande pleaded guilty to outraging public decency and was sentenced to twenty-six weeks imprisonment.

The sex act continued for approximately fifteen minutes and when the victim realised what was happening she moved carriages and alerted another female passenger.

Garande escaped the train at Elephant and Castle station and was identified by British Transport Police (BTP) via CCTV enquiries.

By then he was in custody on a similar charge.

James Mayled of the BTP 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.

“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.”