Jail for man who repeatedly masturbated while staring at lone women – West Midlands

A serial offender who masturbated while staring at lone women on-board trains has been jailed for two years following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

At the time of his offending he was in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that forbade him from unzipping, loosening or removing any piece of clothing covering his genitals in a public place.

Roy Thomas, 30, and of The Avenue, Wolverhampton, appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 28 November where he pleaded guilty to three counts of exposure and three counts of being in breach of a SHPO.

A judge sentenced him to a total of two years imprisonment.

On the afternoon of 11 January, Thomas, wearing a yellow hi-vis jacket, boarded a train at Birmingham New Street and sat near a young woman.

A short while later she turned to see he was staring at her and masturbating, so she quickly got up and ran off the train at Coseley station to escape him.

Thomas returned to the railway on 19 January, on this occasion wearing a camouflage jacket.

He boarded a Birmingham-bound train at Wolverhampton, sat near a 16-year-old girl, exposed himself and masturbated while staring her. She too ran away from him.

Two hours later he got on another train at Birmingham New Street heading back to Wolverhampton and sat opposite another young woman.

A few moments passed and again he began masturbating on-board the train while continually smirking at the woman. She approached the train conductor to inform them of Thomas’ actions, however he quickly left the train and said, “that b**** is lying”.

All three victims reported Thomas’ offending and he was arrested in connection on 21 January.

Detective Constable Alexander Long, investigating officer in the case, said: “It’s abundantly clear from his repugnant behaviour that Thomas is a threat to women and girls – I’m pleased he’s now confined to a small cell. 

“His total disregard for his Sexual Harm Prevention Order proved he was dead set on using the railway for the sole purpose of sexual gratification. 

“Our commitment to putting sex offenders behind bars is as strong as ever, and I would urge anyone who is subjected to this harassment on the railway to report it to us just as the three victims in this instance did.

“You can do so by texting 61016, calling 0800 40 50 40 or via our Railway Guardian app. Every report contributes to keeping everyone on the rail network safe.”