Man pleads guilty to attempted rape after attacking female Tube passenger on Bakerloo line train
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By DAVID OLASEINDE
Published: | Updated:
A man has pleaded guilty to attempting to rape a woman who was travelling alone on a Bakerloo line train in south London.
Vincent Saxon, 54, of no fixed address, admitted the offence at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday, September 17.
He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at the same court on Friday, October 30.
The attack happened at around 11.40pm on Saturday, July 11, as the woman travelled between Waterloo and Lambeth North.
Saxon approached her on the train and exposed himself before forcibly pulling her to the floor and attempting to rape her.
The woman fought back and managed to escape when the train reached Lambeth North. She alerted station staff, who contacted British Transport Police (BTP).
Saxon remained on the train and later got off at Elephant and Castle Underground station. Officers searched the area but were initially unable to locate him.
Investigators subsequently launched an urgent search for the suspect, including an appeal through the media and social media.
A 54-year-old man, Vincent Saxon, has pleaded guilty to attempting to 'rape' a woman on a Bakerloo line train between Waterloo and Lambeth North in July
The appeal led to several people providing information to police. An anonymous caller later reported seeing a man matching Saxon's description outside a shop on Fulham Palace Road.
Officers went to the location and arrested Saxon. He was subsequently charged with attempted rape.
Evidence gathered during the investigation included CCTV footage and forensic evidence recovered following the attack.
Saxon remains in custody ahead of his sentencing next month.
BTP Detective Sergeant Krishan Appannah said: 'First and foremost I would like to praise the victim for her bravery following what was clearly a terrifying ordeal. She was alone late at night when she was approached and attacked by Saxon without warning.
'She fought back ferociously against him before he fled. Her actions helped us recover vital forensic evidence that, along with our CCTV enquiries, would leave Saxon with no choice but to plead guilty.
'He is a dangerous and predatory offender and I'm pleased to see that we have secured justice for this brave victim, hopefully it will now be able to bring her some form of closure.'
Anyone who is the victim of or witnesses an offence on the Tube or railway network can text BTP on 61016.
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