Daniel Odubanjo, a Nigerian based in the UK, was sentenced to six years in prison for sexually assaulting and trapping a woman in a train toilet and assaulting another teenager.

Chelmsford Crown Court, on Monday, sentenced Mr Odubanjo, 27,  for one count of false imprisonment and two counts of sexual assault after being found guilty in a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Mr Odubanjo was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to pay a victim surcharge by the court.

In addition, he was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), prohibiting him from being under the influence of any substance while on public transport, at stations or on Network Rail property.

According to British Transport Police (BTP), the court heard that on Friday, 29 November 2024, on board a service from Shenfield to Chelmsford, Mr Odubanjo repeatedly banged on the toilet door while it was engaged. The woman inside quickly washed her hands and unlocked the door, expecting to find another passenger needing to use the facilities. 

“But instead she came face to face with Odubanjo who pushed her back inside the cubicle and locked the door, forcefully grabbing her wrists and sexually assaulting her,” BTP said.

It added, “in the struggle that ensued, the woman, who was 21 at the time, managed to open the door and attempt to get the attention of a fellow passenger, but he grabbed her and pulled her back into the toilet where he continued the sexual assault as she screamed for help. It was only when she lied about her age, claiming to be 14, that Odubanjo let her go.”

After that, Mr Odubanjo approached a 17-year-old girl boarding the service and sat opposite her, asking her a barrage of inappropriate questions before exposing himself.

When he left to go to the toilet, the teenager moved seats to sit closer to other passengers, telling them what had happened, but Odubanjo returned and sat next to her and sexually assaulted her.

Hayley Whyte, a BTP Detective Sergeant, 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 have resulted in a suitably lengthy prison sentence.

He added, “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. Every report is taken seriously, and we will take swift action to trace sexual offenders like Odubanjo and ensure they face justice.”