A man has been jailed after locking a woman in a train station café and demanding that she have sex with him.
Joseph Farrell, 45, from Tottenham, made unwanted sexual advances towards his victim at Crediton station in Devon on April 22 last year.
Salisbury Crown Court heard how Farrell had entered the café and locked the door from inside.
After the woman repeatedly said “no” to his sexual advances, he left the café and boarded a train.
CCTV images, combined with images taken by the victim, meant police were able to positively identify Farrell.
He was sentenced to 26 months in prison for false imprisonment and handed a ten-year restraining order, forbidding him to contact the victim in any way whatsoever.
Farrell was also banned from Crediton railway station for the same time period.
Investigating officer Police Constable Adam Rudling, of the BTP, said: “Unwanted sexual behaviour on the railway and at stations will not be tolerated in any way. Farrell's actions took the victim completely by surprise and made her feel very scared and extremely uncomfortable.
“I would like to thank the woman who came forward and reported this and her quick thinking in capturing images of Farrell, as he waited for a train, made the evidence against him all the more compelling.
“If you experience or witness a sexual offence on the railway, or at a station, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40. We will always take you seriously. In an emergency always dial 999.”
