A Nigerian national, Esosa Eguakin, has been sentenced to two years in prison by a UK court after admitting to sexually assaulting two women during separate train journeys between Hampshire and London.
Eguakin was convicted at Guildford Crown Court on February 10 after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual assault brought against him by the British Transport Police.
Beyond the custodial sentence, the court imposed a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The order places strict conditions on his conduct, including a ban on sitting or standing next to, or directly opposite, unaccompanied women in public spaces.
According to the prosecution, the first incident occurred on August 21 last year when Eguakin boarded a Fratton to London Waterloo service shortly after 7.15am. He was said to have intentionally seated himself behind a woman in her 30s and assaulted her during the trip.
A second attack took place on October 6 on an early morning train from Eastleigh to London Waterloo. When confronted over his behaviour, he reportedly claimed he was attempting to retrieve a dropped mobile phone and refused to change seats. An off-duty police officer who witnessed the incident intervened and escorted him off the train at Woking.
The officer detained him at the station before handing him over to responding officers. Subsequent investigations by the British Transport Police led to his prosecution on two counts of sexual assault.
Detective Constable David Stewart described the offences as calculated and distressing for the victims, noting that rail passengers are entitled to travel without fear of harassment.
He also acknowledged the courage of the women who supported the case and praised the off-duty officer whose prompt response prevented further harm. He added that the sentence and the preventive order demonstrated the force’s resolve to ensure offenders are brought to justice and that such conduct will not be tolerated on the rail network.
