Blog Crime Reports

A middle-aged man who masturbated in front of two women on board a train has been jailed for a total of 26 months.

Dean Benjamin, 41, and of Stockingstone Road, Luton, appeared at Northampton Crown Court on 16 March where he pleaded guilty to outraging public decency.  
On 25 May, he returned to the same court and a judge sentenced him to a total of 26 months imprisonment.

He received 20 months for outraging public decency and being in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), and six months for a second exposure offence investigated by Bedfordshire Police.  

At just after 5pm on 3 March, the victim was seated on-board a London to Nottingham train service when she noticed Benjamin leant on the luggage rack staring at her.

Moments later she looked back up and he had placed his hands down the front of his trousers and was clearly masturbating.

The victim texted British Transport Police (BTP) using its 61016 service and told a passing ticket inspector who moved her to the first-class carriage away from Benjamin.

He then ambled down the train to its first-class carriage and again began masturbating while staring at a second woman as she worked on her laptop.  

After being notified by the ticket inspector, an off-duty police officer on the service apprehended Benjamin until the train arrived at Kettering station where he was removed and immediately taken to police custody.  

DC Mohit Behl, investigating officer in the case, said: “Benjamin is quite simply a disgusting individual who targeted two lone women for his own sexual gratification.

“I hope his prison sentence serves as a stark warning to sexual offenders – we will do everything in our power to put your behind bars, without exception.

“If you experience or witness repulsive behavior such as this on the rail network, I urge you to report it to us either by texting 61016 as the victim did in this instance, or by calling 0800 40 50 40.

“Nothing is too small or too trivial to report, and we will always take you seriously.”