Man jailed for sexual communications with a child - Yorkshire

A man who began following and making sexual comments to a teenage girl on a train has jailed after a British Transport Police investigation.

Zainal Osman, 31 (28/10/93), of Barlby Road, Selby, was sentenced at York Magistrates' Court on Thursday 5 June having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to engaging in sexual communication with a child. He also pleaded guilty to failing to notify police of a change of address as part of his notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act.

He was sentenced to 32 weeks’ imprisonment and ordered to pay a victim surcharge. He must also sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.

At around 9.50pm on 25 May, a 15-year-old girl was travelling on a train from York to Sherburn-in-Elmet when Osman, who was visibly drunk, began to follow her. 

He repeatedly professed his love for her, and despite the girl telling Osman her age he continued to make advances.

She called 999 and a ticket inspector who saw what was happening intervened, allowing the girl to safely leave the train.

BTP officers met the train at the next stop, Selby railway station, and Osman was arrested and taken into custody.

Investigating officer DC Liam Brown said: "The actions of the young girl in alerting 999, and the intervention of the ticket inspector, meant we were able to act fast to detain Osman.

"This was a frightening ordeal for the girl and it is because of her bravery that Osman, who has a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) because of a previous offence,  has been brought to justice.

"These kinds of offences will absolutely not be tolerated on the railway network. I urge any victims of sexual offences to report them immediately."

If you are the victim of a crime on the rail network, you can discreetly report by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 405040. Always call 999 in an emergency.