'Predator' who masturbated in front of woman on Tube jailed

A man who was caught masturbating in front of a woman on the Tube has been jailed

Police said Terence Emberson started staring at two women in the carriage before turning towards another woman and exposing himself.

The 55-year-old then began masturbating in front of her.

The crime happened on the Victoria Line in north London on 1 June.

The victim first noticed him staring in the direction of two other women on the carriage.

He then turned towards her and exposed his genitals, staring at her as he masturbated.

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Police matched the victim’s account and description of the offender to Emberson and found he had breached a court order that banned him from lowering or unzipping his trousers in any public place.

He was later arrested at his home in Hertford, Hertfordshire.

Emberson admitted one count of indecent exposure and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The defendant was given the order for another exposure offence in 2020.

Last week he was jailed for 16 months and will have to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

Detective Constable Emma Martin from British Transport Police called Emberson's actions "sickening".

She said: "I’m pleased to see Emberson behind bars for his sickening actions which left the victim horrified.

"Sexual Harm Prevention Orders are given to protect the public, and Emberson’s blatant disregard of this proves his predatory mindset.

"No one should be subjected to this behaviour as they travel, and we are absolutely committed to stamping it out.

"I urge anyone who experiences or witnesses a sexual offence on the railway to report it to us. We will always take you seriously."

According to the Home Office, cases of exposure and voyeurism on public transport soared in the last year.

Between April 2021 and April 2022 cases rose by 59%, and have more than doubled in the last 10 years.

Police recorded incidents of exposure and voyeurism on public transport:

• 2012/13 - 131

• 2013/14 - 149

• 2014/15 - 163

• 2015/16 - 183

• 2016/17 - 193

• 2017/18 - 215

• 2018/19 - 214

• 2019/20 - 303

• 2020/21 - 221

• 2021/22 - 352