Girl, 17, sexually assaulted twice on Newquay to Plymouth train

The 17-year-old girl was first approached by a man when she boarded the train at Newquay station: Stephen McKay/Creative Commons
The 17-year-old girl was first approached by a man when she boarded the train at Newquay station: Stephen McKay/Creative Commons

A teenager has been sexually assaulted twice and by two different men while on a train returning home from a music festival.

The 17-year-old was on board the train travelling from Newquay to Plymouth on her way back from the Boardmasters festival in Cornwall.

When she boarded the train at Newquay station, a man approached her and asked her if she wanted help with her luggage.

He then sat next to her and asked her if she wanted a kiss before tickling her and trying to take her phone.

The teenager moved to a different seat where she was assaulted again.

She was approached by another man and she explained to him what had just happened.

The second man then started sexually assaulting her by kissing her and touching her and himself inappropriately.

British Transport Police (BTP) is urging any witnesses on the Great Western Railway service between 8.45pm and 9pm on 12 August to come forward.

The first suspect is a white man with pale skin and ginger hair. He was wearing a white shirt with a palm tree on it, blue shorts and a novelty shark hat.

The second man said his name was Lance. He is described as white with mousey hair and pronounced sideburns. He was wearing a white polo shirt and camouflage shorts.

DC Matt Grieve, who is investigating, described the incident as "deeply upsetting and shocking".

"If you were on board this train and witnessed what happened, or saw two men acting suspiciously, then I would urge you to get in touch.

"Your information could prove vital in our enquiries to understand what happened and who is responsible."

Anyone with information can contact the BTP by sending a text to 61016 or calling 0800405040 quoting reference number 423 on 16/08/2017. Alternatively, you can ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111.