A predator has been banned from approaching any women on public transport man after a "terrifying" sexual assault on a train.
Kristaps Berzins, 34, became extremely aggressive towards a young woman on a train from Birmingham to Manchester on June 30 last year when he sat next to her. She was wearing headphones but he persisted in making rude and inappropriate comments which worsened until he sexually assaulted her.
The woman only managed to escape when Berzins went to use the toilet. She went to another seat and reported what had happened to one of the train staff who alerted police.
Following a British Transport Police investigation, Kristaps Berzins, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to sexual assault at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court last Thursday (4 April). He was jailed for seven months and issued with a five year Sexual Harm Prevention order which forbids him from sitting next to or across from, approaching, touching or communicating with any lone female on public transport.
He must also sign the sex offenders register for seven years and pay compensation of £300. Investigating officer PC Molly Brunton Cole said: “This was a terrifying encounter for the young woman who bravely reported the incident and supported the investigation.
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“Thankfully now Berzins is one more sexual predator off the streets. We take all reports of sexual harassment and unwanted sexual behaviour seriously and will support victims throughout our investigations.
“If you experience or witness a sexual offence on the railway, I urge you to report it to 61016 or via the Railway Guardian app. In an emergency, always dial 999."
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