BTP secures first conviction under new legislation tackling sex-based harassment

A British Transport Police (BTP) investigation has resulted in the first conviction in England and Wales under newly introduced sex-based harassment legislation.

David Stroud, 44, and of Buckland Hill, Maidstone, pleaded guilty to one charge under the new Section 4B of the Public Order Act 1986 at Highbury Magistrates’ Court today (7 May).

He will return to the same court on 9 June to be sentenced. 

Section 4B strengthens existing public order powers by criminalising behaviour which causes intentional harassment, alarm or distress because of a person’s sex or presumed sex.

Stroud was arrested for the offence on 3 April, just two days after the new legislation came into force.

The court heard that on the day Stroud harassed a woman on board a Hastings to London service.

Despite the victim asking him to leave her alone, he directed a series of inappropriate comments at her throughout the journey.

These included asking to kiss the woman, calling her "magical", and that he loved her “iridescent hair” which he also grabbed as the train approached the capital. 

The victim’s boyfriend reported Stroud’s behaviour to BTP officers who met the train at London Bridge railway station and arrested him at 10.30pm.

While he was under caution, he told arresting officers that it was “just banter”.

BTP Detective Superintendent Sam Painter said: “This first-ever conviction for a Section 4B offence sends a clear message to men who think it’s acceptable to harass women and girls – we’ll always do everything in our power to put you before the courts. 

“We urged the government to introduce this new legislation to reinforce our ongoing efforts in tackling sex-based harassment on the railway. Its introduction ensures perpetrators rightly face harsher penalties for their crimes.

“Anyone who experiences or witnesses sexual harassment on trains or at stations are encouraged to report it to us by texting 61016. As we did in this case, we will always take action to secure justice for victims.”

Nathan Miebai, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said: “It is vital that women and girls feel safe in public spaces and able to live their lives without fear of harassment because of their sex. David Stroud made that impossible for one woman who was simply travelling home on the train and today he has faced the consequences of his actions.

“This first-of-its-kind conviction proves that through close collaboration across the criminal justice system, we can deliver outcomes like these for more victims and build a safer environment for everyone to be a part of.”