A man who watched porn and masturbated while on a busy train travelling from London to Swansea has appeared in court.
David Valentine, 32, was convicted of outraging public decency and sentenced at East Berkshire Magistrates' Court.
The court was told that a passenger noticed Valentine watching porn on his phone on the train travelling between London Paddington and Swansea on Sunday, June 27.
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Despite trying to hide his phone behind a book, another passenger noticed Valentine had his hand down his trousers and was masturbating, reports Berkshire Live.
Being left extremely uncomfortable after what they had witnessed, the passenger reported the incident to British Transport Police using a discreet text service.
Officers boarded the train at Reading Station where they asked Valentine to leave. They reported the packed carriage had between 20-30 passengers on board, some of whom were children.
One of the officers escorted Valentine off the service, while another officer remained on the train to ask if any other passengers had witnessed anything untoward on the service.
The passenger who reported the incident to BTP made themselves known and was able to provide more information.
Valentine was consequently arrested on the platform, for outraging public decency.
Valentine, of Westerleigh Road, South Gloucestershire, was handed a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) for five years, as well as a 36-month community order, at the court hearing on Friday, September 24. He was also ordered to attend a 35-day sexual offence treatment programme and to pay £85 court fees and a £90 victim surcharge.
BTP Detective Constable Lauren Pace said: “Unwanted sexual behaviour, such as this incident, is unacceptable and will absolutely not be tolerated on the railway. I’d like to commend the bravery of the victim for reporting the incident, enabling us to take action and apprehend Valentine for his behaviour.
“Tackling sexual harassment is an absolute priority for us, and we take every report seriously. We want everyone to know they can text us discreetly on 61016, whether something is happening to you at the time or has happened to your recently. No incident is too small or trivial. We will always take you seriously.”
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