Jail for man found guilty of string of indecent exposure offences – South London

A man has been jailed for multiple counts of exposing himself in front of women on the railway network, following an extensive British Transport Police investigation.

Tajinder Sabherwal, 40, of High Street, Bedford, was found guilty of seven counts of outraging public decency, and one count of assault against an emergency service worker, between 2016 and 2021 at stations and on trains around London and Surrey.

He was sentenced to a total of 18 months in prison and handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) at Inner London Crown Court on Friday 24 September.

The court heard of multiple cases of women reporting Sabherwal touching himself inappropriately or exposing his genitals while sat opposite them on a train or at a station.

CCTV footage showed him changing into a different set of clothes halfway through his journeys to change his appearance after committing an offence.

On 3 April 2021 Sabherwal was arrested at St Pancras station after a woman travelling on a service from London Bridge to Cambridge reported that he sat opposite her on an empty carriage and began touching himself indecently while looking at her. After she challenged him, an off-duty officer stepped in and took him off the train. Upon his arrest, officers found he was carrying several items of clothing, including different outfits and hats that matched CCTV stills from previous incidents.

On Saturday 30 January 2021, another off-duty officer boarded a train from Redhill to London Bridge. As she sat down, Sabherwal moved from a different carriage to sit across the aisle from her. She noticed him touching the inside of his shorts and pointing his phone towards her. She challenged him and told him she had called 999. When the train arrived at Coulsdon South station he got off and the officer followed, he then violently pushed the officer away and ran out of the station.

Investigating officer in the case, Detective Constable Olivia Hill, said: “Sabherwal’s odious actions were evidently pre-meditated and for his own sexual gratification.

“These incidents will have had a serious impact on the victims’ lives, and we believe no one should be subject to such vile behaviour on the railway.

“I’m pleased to see he’ll have plenty of time to reflect on this in prison.

“I would urge anyone who witnesses or experiences sexual harassment on the railway to report it to us – no report is too small or insignificant and we will always take you seriously. Text us on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40. In an emergency, always dial 999.”