'Predatory' man who sexually assaulted two women on trains between Portsmouth to London Waterloo jailed
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A ‘predatory’ man who sexually assaulted two women on trains commuting to work has been jailed.
Esosa Eguakin, 31, has been put behind bars after being caught by an off-duty police officer. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault on transport routes between Hampshire and London.
Guildford Crown Court heard how on August 21, 2024, Eguakin attacked his first victim while on board a train travelling from Fratton Railway Station, in Portsmouth, to London Waterloo on just after 7.15am. He intentionally sat behind a woman in her 30s and sexually assaulted her.
The second incident took place on October 6, 2024. Shortly after 6am, Eguakin boarded a train from Eastleigh to London Waterloo and sexually assaulted another female. When she confronted him, he claimed he was trying to retrieve his phone that he had dropped. He refused to move away from her and an off-duty police officer intervened to escort him off the train at Woking.
Following an investigation by British Transport Police (BTP) detectives, Eguakin, of Courtelle Road, Coventry, was charged. After pleading guilty and appearing at a Guildford Crown Court hearing on February 10, he was sentenced to two years in prison.
He received a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which prohibits him from doing a number of things, including sitting or standing next to or opposite any lone women. BTP Detective Constable David Stewart said: “Eguakin’s behaviour was predatory and deeply distressing for both victims. No one should feel unsafe or be subjected to such violations as they travel.
“I want to thank the women involved for their courage in supporting our investigation, as well as the off‑duty officer whose swift actions prevented further harm. This sentence, along with the SHPO, sends a clear message that we will pursue offenders and ensure they are held to account. If you experience or witness a sexual offence on a train or at a station, please report it to us by texting 61016. In an emergency, always call 999. We take every report seriously and will stop at nothing to bring sexual offenders like Eguakin to justice.”