Daniel Odubanjo 27

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A man who sexually assaulted a woman after trapping her in a train toilet before going on to assault a teenager just minutes later has been jailed for six years.

Following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation, Daniel Odubanjo, 27 of King Avenue, Clapham, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday 12 January for one count of False Imprisonment and two counts of Sexual Assault after being found guilty following an earlier trial.

Odubanjo received six years in prison, ordered to pay a victim surcharge, and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which prohibits him from being under the influence of any substance while on public transport, at stations or on Network Rail property.

The court heard how on Friday 29 November 2024, on-board a service from Shenfield to Chelmsford, Odubanjo repeatedly banged on the toilet door while it was engaged.

The woman inside quickly washed her hands and unlocked the door expecting to find another passenger needing to use the facilities.

But instead she came face to face with Odubanjo who pushed her back inside the cubicle and locked the door, forcefully grabbing her wrists and sexually assaulting her.

In the struggle that ensued, the woman, who was 21 at the time, managed to open the door and attempt to get the attention of a fellow passenger but he grabbed her and pulled her back into the toilet where he continued the sexual assault as she screamed for help.

It was only when she lied about her age, claiming to be 14, that Odubanjo let her go.

In an extremely distressed state, she approached a member of staff and left the train at Chelmsford where she reported what had happened to BTP.

Just moments later, Odubanjo approached a 17-year-old girl boarding the service and sat opposite her, asking her a barrage of inappropriate questions before exposing himself.

When he left to go to the toilet, the teenager moved seats to sit closer to other passengers, telling them what had happened, but Odubanjo returned and sat next to her and sexually assaulted her.

A passenger sat nearby grabbed Odubanjo off the girl.

The train was met by BTP officers at Hatfield Peverel station, just outside Chelmsford, and Odubanjo was arrested at the scene.

BTP Detective Sergeant Hayley Whyte said:

"Odubanjo preyed on a young woman and a teenage girl in terrifying attacks just minutes apart.

“Both were left distressed and traumatised by the vile assaults he subjected them to. Despite this, their courage and determination to see him brought to justice has resulted in a suitably lengthy prison sentence.

“I commend their bravery, and that of the bystanders who intervened in the second attack.”