Former train driver sentenced for upskirting – St Albans

A train driver has been sentenced for taking photographs of a sleeping woman on a train, following a British Transport Police investigation.

 

Paolo Barone, aged 51, of Brackley Road, High Wycombe, Bucks was travelling home from his shift as a Thameslink driver when he committed the offence on a train from Blackfriars to St Albans on Thursday, 15 September 2022.

 

While wearing his work uniform he repeatedly took photographs of the sleeping woman throughout his 45 minute journey.

 

As he prepared to leave the train at St Albans he then took more photos, positioning his phone so that it was directed up the woman’s skirt.

 

His employer identified him and Barone was arrested at his home address.

 

Three phones and a computer were seized with one of the phones found to contain five images of the woman.

 

He was found guilty of voyeurism and sentenced to three months in prison suspended for 12 months.

 

He must also complete a 55 hour Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and sign the sex offenders register for seven years.

 

 

Investigating officer DC Daryl Keogh said: “Wearing his work unform meant Barone was in a position of trust when he committed this vile and disgusting violation. Seeing the woman was sleeping and vulnerable he took the opportunity, not to watch out for her, but to commit this hideous act.

 

“The woman was horrified when she learned what had happened as she slept.

 

"We will stop at nothing to deter, pursue, arrest and bring sex offenders on the railway network to justice.

 

“Every report is important. See it or experience it, you can report anything that makes you uncomfortable.

 

"We urge everyone to save 61016 to their phones and download the Railway Guardian app before you travel so you can discreetly get in touch with us if you need us.”

 

Jean Cockerill, People Director for Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “We were shocked and appalled to learn about this incident. As soon as we were made aware we followed our internal procedures, which included suspending the individual as soon as he was identified. 

 

“We hold our colleagues to the highest standards of conduct and this type of behaviour will never be tolerated.

 

“We thank the person for their courage in coming forward and reporting this crime, and we encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses this type of behaviour on the railway to report it to the British Transport Police.”