‘Callous predator’ from Sydenham jailed after sexual assault spree …
Hailu Getemariam, 24, from Southend Lane, was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault at Inner London Crown Court on November 15, 2023 (Image: BTP)
A Sydenham man has been jailed for 14 months after committing a spree of sexual assaults on trains and tubes.
Hailu Getemariam, 24, from Southend Lane, was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault at Inner London Crown Court on November 15, 2023.
Officers described him as a “callous predator, who took advantage of the rail network to sexually assault multiple women”.[1]
On March 25, 2023, a woman travelling alone on a train to Beckenham Hill was sexually assaulted by him during the 10 – 15-minute journey.
Despite the train being quiet and plenty of seats available he sat with her.
She felt terrified and cornered due to their seating arrangement.
When she attempted to disembark at Beckenham Hill, Getemariam also left the train, prompting her to warn him about contacting the police and telling him to leave her alone.
On April 18, a similar incident took place on a Northern Line train between London Bridge and Balham.
Getemariam stood behind a second victim on a crowded train, using the busy conditions as a cover to assault her.
Despite her efforts to distance herself from him, the assaults continued.
A third incident occurred on May 10, on a Jubilee line train between Westminster and London Bridge.
Despite plenty of room on the train, Getemariam invaded a third victim’s personal space and assaulted her.
She then saw him assaulting another woman so following the assault, she took pictures and filmed Getemariam.
Getemariam was also handed a five year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for the following decade.
The Sexual Harm Prevention Order restricts the man from travelling on the London transport network unless using an Oystercard registered in his name to pay for his journey.
He is also forbidden from sitting next to, touching, or communicating with any female stranger when using any transport network or within any London Underground, main line, or Docklands Light Railway Station unless in a genuine emergency.
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Detectives from the British Transport Police utilised CCTV to link all three assaults, leading to Getemariam’s identification.
He was then sought for questioning and on May 15, 2023, Getemariam was arrested.
Detective Constable Tom Bolton, investigating officer in the case, said: “Getemariam is a disgusting and callous predator, who took advantage of the rail network to sexually assault multiple women.
“The bravery of these three victims coming forward highlights how important each report to British Transport Police is. By linking the three reports together, despite his not guilty plea, the evidence spoke for itself and he was found guilty.
“Vile behaviour like Getemariam’s will not be tolerated on the rail network and we are dedicated to tackling offences like this.
“If you are a victim of, or a witness to, a sexual offence on the railway – I urge you to report it to BTP by texting 61016 or via the Railway Guardian app. We will always take you seriously.”
References
- ^ sexually assault multiple women”. (www.newsshopper.co.uk)