Pervert, 39, who masturbated in front of women on south London trains jailed

Jailed: James Gathercole (British Transport Police)
Jailed: James Gathercole (British Transport Police)

A 39-year-old man who exposed himself before masturbating in front of female passengers on south London trains has been jailed for two years and eight months.

James Gathercole, of no fixed abode, exposed himself to two women on separate trains on May 26, London Inner Crown Court heard.

In the first incident, at around 3.20pm, he exposed himself to a 27-year-old woman on the train from Motspur Park Station to Wimbledon.

He then proceeded to masturbate directly opposite her.

Gathercole was caught on CCTV (British Transport Police)
Gathercole was caught on CCTV (British Transport Police)

Just four hours later, he did the same again to a 19-year-old woman while on-board a train heading from West Sutton Station towards London Blackfriars.

One of the victims was bravely able to record footage of the incident, which alongside CCTV, allowed police to identify Gathercole as the culprit.

Alongside the prison sentence, Gathercole was handed a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which bans him from travelling on trains unless he has permission.

He is also barred from approaching, following, touching or making any attempts to communicate with any lone woman he does not already know, and from removing or loosening any items of clothing below his waist in public.

Gathercole was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228.

Investigating officer DC Potter, of the British Transport Police, said: “Gathercole has acted in a disgusting manner choosing the young women to target.

"Gathercole will be able to consider his actions while serving time for his crimes.  The SHPO will ensure he is not able to target anyone again and should allow for him to be able to learn from his actions.

"We take all reports of sexual assault seriously and with the full support of victims in such cases this shows the positive results we are able to achieve."