Football fan given five year SHPO after sexually assaulting young woman - Leeds

A 49-year-old man has been sentenced to a five year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after sexually assaulting a 23-year-old woman on board a train.

Peter Cooling of Holmsley Lane, Leeds, was found guilty of one count of sexual assault, at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday 10 April.

He was sentenced to a five year SHPO preventing him from travelling on trains under the influence of alcohol or drinking alcohol on board trains. He was given a community order to complete 200 hours of unpaid supervised work and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and costs of £1,200 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The court heard how on Sunday 21 May 2023, on board a train from Kings Cross railway station to Leeds at around 8.30pm, Cooling was travelling home from a football match in London with friends.

The train was very busy, and as the young woman was making her way through the carriage to get a drink from the refreshment bar, Cooling sexually assaulted her as she passed by.

She continued through the train where she found two police officers who she immediately reported the incident to them.

The young woman who was assaulted had this to say: "As I squeezed past the group, I felt him sexually assault me. I turned to face the direction it came from and witnessed the same man do it again.

"His friends didn’t look shocked or concerned. instead they were laughing and jeering. The idea that this kind of behaviour is accepted or encouraged among some football fans is disgusting.

"We should always try to report these things. It sends a message: this behaviour is not acceptable."

Sergeant Sophie Monaghan said: “Cooling tried to play off his disgraceful and disgusting behaviour as only being football banter. The victim has shown incredible bravery in reporting this incident immediately and in her support with the investigation.

“This type of behaviour will never be tolerated, and there are simply no excuses for this behaviour - alcohol and football can not be blamed.

"I encourage anyone who witnesses any sexual harassment or assault to use our discreet text number, 61016 to report or call 0800 40 50 40. In an emergency, always dial 999.”