Predator jailed after targeting women on same ScotRail route a week apart

A man who carried out sexual assaults on two women aboard the same train on separate occasions has been jailed following an investigation by the British Transport Police.

Mohammed Mirzai, 24, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday 9 April 2026. He had previously admitted two counts of sexual assault at an earlier hearing. In addition to his custodial sentence, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years and pay a victim surcharge.

The court was told the first incident took place on Friday 14 March 2025 when Mirzai boarded a 9.45pm ScotRail service travelling from Glasgow to Edinburgh. Despite other seats being available, he chose to sit beside a woman and went on to sexually assault her. The victim challenged his behaviour before he left the train at Falkirk High railway station. Witnesses to the incident took a photograph of him, which later proved crucial.

The victim reported the incident to police by texting 61016, providing officers with the image. While detectives worked to identify the suspect, a second woman came forward to report a similar assault on the same route on Saturday 22 March, just over a week later.

Mirzai was eventually traced and arrested on Thursday 17 July, before being taken into custody for questioning. Investigators were able to link him to both incidents, leading to the charges and subsequent guilty plea.

Detective Constable Liam Deasley said:

"Mirzai is a dangerous predator who targeted lone women in a routine manner, clearly finding a route that he felt comfortable and safe sexually assaulting women on. There is absolutely no place for this kind of behaviour, and I commend the bravery of the victims for coming forward and supporting the investigation so that we could put Mirzai behind bars. If you've been the victim of a sexual assault or witness one taking place, please report it to us by texting 61016 so that we can take action and secure justice. We take every report seriously, and will stop at nothing to put sexual offenders behind bars."

Image: British Transport Police