A ‘SLEAZY’ man who targeted a lone teenager and sexually assaulted her on a train has been jailed.
Ben Pountney of Swallows Meadow, carried out his attack while he and his 17-year-old victim were travelling on a quiet train from Stratford-upon-Avon in October 2020.
The court heard the 30 year old boarded a few stops later and sat opposite her and he struck up a conversation about her shoes and her shoesize.
He stated that he wanted to buy a similar pair for his niece, while getting closer to the girl and leaning in towards her. He then sexually assaulted her and got off the train.
Following a number of enquiries and a media appeal to the public, Pountney was later identified and arrested.
Pountney pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to one count of sexual assault where her was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment.
He was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
Police Sergeant Daniel Hart, investigating officer in the case at British Transport Police, said: “Pountney is a vile offender who targeted a lone teenager and subjected her to a distressing sexual assault.
“His sleazy behaviour is a prime example of the harassment and intimidation of women and girls which we are dedicated to tackling on the network. It simply won’t be tolerated, and we will bring offenders to justice.”
Anyone who is a victim of, or a witness to, a sexual offence on the railway should report it to British Transport Police by texting 61016 or via the Railway Guardian app.
