Repeat Sex Offender Behind Bars

A convicted sex offender, who flouted a court order to again target a lone female during a train journey, is starting a prison sentence of twenty months.

Igor Borges, 29, of Nether Street, Barnet pleaded guilty to indecent exposure and breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

He was also ordered to sign sex offenders register for ten years.

Inner London Crown Court heard how at around 9.00am on September 1, last year Borges was on board a train from London Bridge to West Croydon. 

Sitting across the aisle from the victim he exposed himself and started masturbating while looking at her.

The woman noticed in the window reflection that Borges was staring at her, and when she looked over and saw him masturbating, he continued.

The victim called the police on 999, and Borges put his finger to his lips to indicate not to tell anyone.

She moved carriages to find another seat and Borges followed her through the carriage apologising. 

As she walked through the train, she told other passengers what had happened and they intervened, stopping Borges following her.

He left the train at West Croydon and British Transport Police detectives launched an investigation to track him down.

Through their enquiries using the on-train CCTV, Borges was identified as he already had a SHPO in place which he breached in committing the offence that morning. 

He was arrested at his home address two weeks later.

His existing SHPO had been in place since August 2023 and prohibited him from making any direct or indirect approach to a female not known to him in a public place. 

Upon being arrested he stated it wasn't him that committed the offence and the officers had it wrong, although later in interview he claimed he thought he was alone when he masturbated on-board the train.

BTP Detective Constable Karim Omer said: "This is not the first time Borges has been caught for a crime like this, and his far-fetched excuse that he was alone on a train in Central London at 9.00 am did not wash with us.

"It is thanks to the courage of the victim in reporting his disgusting actions that we have been able to bring him before the courts and put him behind bars, and I hope that this sentence provides the victim a sense of closure.”