Clapham man imprisoned for back‑to‑back sexual assaults on rail service

A man who carried out two sexual assaults within minutes of each other on a train in Essex has been jailed for six years.

Daniel Odubanjo, 27, of King Avenue in Clapham, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on 12 January after a British Transport Police investigation led to his conviction for False Imprisonment and two counts of Sexual Assault. A jury had previously found him guilty. Alongside the prison term, he must pay a victim surcharge and is now subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order preventing him from being under the influence of any substance while travelling on public transport, at stations, or on Network Rail property.

The court was told the first attack happened on 29 November 2024 on a train travelling between Shenfield and Chelmsford. Odubanjo repeatedly hammered on the door of an occupied toilet cubicle. When the 21‑year‑old woman inside opened it, expecting another passenger, he forced her back inside, locked the door and grabbed her wrists before sexually assaulting her.

She managed to get the door open during the struggle and tried to alert others, but Odubanjo pulled her back into the cubicle and continued the assault as she screamed. He only released her when she lied about her age, claiming to be 14. Distressed and shaken, she sought help from a member of staff and reported the incident after leaving the train at Chelmsford.

Moments later, Odubanjo targeted a second victim — a 17‑year‑old girl boarding the same service. He sat opposite her, asked a series of inappropriate questions and exposed himself. When he briefly left for the toilet, the teenager moved closer to other passengers and told them what had happened. Odubanjo returned, sat beside her and sexually assaulted her before a nearby passenger intervened and pulled him away.

British Transport Police officers met the train at Hatfield Peverel station and arrested Odubanjo at the scene.

BTP Detective Sergeant Hayley Whyte said:

"Odubanjo preyed on a young woman and a teenage girl in terrifying attacks just minutes apart. Both were left distressed and traumatised by the vile assaults he subjected them to. Despite this, their courage and determination to see him brought to justice has resulted in a suitably lengthy prison sentence. I commend their bravery, and that of the bystanders who intervened in the second attack. If you experience or witness a sexual offence on-board a train or at a station, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016, or dial 999 in an emergency. Every report is taken seriously and we will take swift action to trace sexual offenders like Odubanjo and ensure they face justice.”

Image: British Transport Police