Yahoo News Man masturbated after helping woman carry pushchair at train station
A man who harassed women then performed a sex act on himself at a busy train station has been jailed for two years.
Oliver Shoesmith, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of outraging public decency and one count of possessing a Class B substance at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court in August.
On Thursday, Shoesmith was sentenced to two years in prison and handed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) at the city's Crown Court.
He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years.
The court heard that at 10am on 17 August, Shoesmith got off a train at Portchester station and a member of rail staff noticed him approaching various women waiting on the platform.
He helped a woman carry a pushchair up the station steps while he carried a bag across the front of his body, covering his groin area.
The rail worker returned to her office and saw Shoesmith on CCTV unzipping his trousers and masturbating, while the woman with the pushchair stood with her young child on the opposite platform.
He attempted to hide what he was doing under his bag and masturbated while staring at women who walked past.
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The staff member reported the incident to British Transport Police (BTP) and control room operators assisted officers on the ground to locate Shoesmith at the station where he was immediately arrested.
He was also found to be in possession of cannabis.
BTP Detective Constable Phil James, said: “Shoesmith’s actions prove that he is a threat to women and girls, and I’m pleased to see him swiftly put behind bars after this repulsive incident.
“I hope his sentence serves as a clear reminder that there is absolutely no place for this behaviour on the railway and we are committed to stamping it out and bringing offenders to justice.
In July, the BTP revealed that sexual offences on the rail network were up by 34% compared to before the pandemic, with 20 more incidents in 2021-22 compared to 2019-20.
According to the BTP website, to report incidents of sexual harassment, text 61016, send details via the BTP's online reporting tool or call 0800 40 50 40 at any time.
BTP Detective Constable James added: “Nothing is too small or trivial to report and we will always take you seriously.”
