Sexual predator jailed after targeting lone women on trains – Midlands

A man who targeted lone women and sexually assaulted them on-board trains in the Midlands has been jailed for 48 months following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Kwamin Mercer, 39, and of Corporation Street, Birmingham, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday 11 May.

He pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual assault by touching, one count of outraging public decency, one count of common assault and one count of committing a common assault with the intention of committing a relevant sexual assault.

The judge sentenced him to 48 months in prison. He was also issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SPHO) for 10 years.

The SPHO states Mercer must not sit next to an unknown female on any public transport, or travel on the rail network, Underground or DLR in the UK unless he has a valid ticket purchased by a bank card registered to him.

On Thursday 3 September 2020 and Friday 4 September 2020, Mercer sexually assaulted five women on trains in the West Midlands.

His first offence, on the evening of 3 September, occurred on-board a service as it left Birmingham. He approached a lone woman on the train, sat in the seat opposite her before leaning forward and touching her inappropriately.

The woman immediately moved away from Mercer who then put his hands in his trouser pockets and appeared to masturbate.

The following morning, between 7am and 9am, Mercer sexually assaulted four more women by touching them inappropriately on-board services travelling between stations in the West Midlands.

One of the victims was a 15-year-old girl travelling to school with a group of friends.

All the victims promptly reported Mercer’s behaviour to BTP using its 61016 text-to-report service.

Officers were subsequently deployed, and he was arrested in connection to the offences and conveyed to police custody for questioning. 

BTP Police Constable, Jade Ledbrook, said: “Mercer showed himself to be a repeat offender over those two days – his conduct was repulsive as he repeatedly targeted women for his own sexual gratification.

“Thanks to the victims who reported his vile actions he’ll now have plenty of time on his hands in prison to reflect on his predatory behaviour.

“The impact Mercer had on his victims has been significant, however the women showed tremendous courage in reporting him to us using our text service.

“I would urge anyone subjected to, or witness to, unwanted sexual behaviour on the railway to do as the women in this instance did and text us on 61016. In an emergency, always call 999.

“No report is too small or trivial, and we will always take you seriously. Everyone has the right to a safe journey.”