Man who made explicit remarks to woman on train gets four months
A MAN who made sexually explicit remarks to a woman on a train before trying to entice her into a toilet has been jailed.
When Elvis Gaskin was arrested by police who were waiting for him at the next station, he was also found to have a knife in his pocket.
Gaskin, of Woodside Park, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, just outside Coventry, was travelling between Port Talbot and Cardiff on Thursday, May 11, when he made his unwanted advances to the victim, who was travelling alone.
Feeling vulnerable and threatened by his actions, she moved to another carriage where she raised the alarm with a member of train staff.
British Transport Police officers then met the train on its arrival at Cardiff Central and 55-year-old Gaskin was arrested.
On being searched, he was found to be carrying a folding pocket knife.
The following morning saw Gaskin plead guilty at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court to possession of a bladed article and causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress. He was sentenced to four months in prison and ordered to pay £115 compensation and £85 court costs.
PC Ceri Frost, from British Transport Police, said: “Firstly I’d like to commend the victim for having the courage to report what was clearly a harrowing ordeal.
“No-one should be sub- jected to unwelcome sexual behaviour on the rail network, or anywhere.
“This was clearly an extremely unpleasant incident for her. She did nothing whatsoever to provoke or encourage Gaskin, and felt threatened and vulnerable throughout the ordeal, particularly as she was travelling by herself.
“She was deeply offended by his behaviour that afternoon and, as a result, no longer feels comfortable travelling alone.”