Sex attacker jailed for assaulting woman on a train

A man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a woman on a train.

Shaun Largent, 46, of Lime Pit Lane, Stanley, was sentenced to 10 months at Preston Crown Court on Thursday, after pleading guilty to sexual touching.

The court heard how on 23 November last year Largent had boarded a train at Leeds station bound for Blackpool.

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He had taken a seat opposite his 51 year old victim and began rubbing her legs under the table.

When she asked him to stop he persisted telling her he fancied her.

Largent then moved into the next carriage.

When the victim left her seat to go to the toilet she came face to face with Largent in the vestibule where he put his arms around her, touched her inappropriately and tried to kiss her.

She fought him off and entered the toilet, locking the door.

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Largent then began banging on the door and pressing the control buttons, shouting for her to let him in.

When she emerged from the toilet Largent blocked her exit and asked her to go for a drink with him. S

he managed to push him away and return to her seat.

When the train arrived at Blackpool North railway station the victim immediately left the train and reported the incident to a member of staff.

In police interview, Largent claimed he was unable to remember the incident fully due to suffering epilepsy.

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Investigating officer PC Adam Heslop said: “Largent’s actions caused great distress to his victim, who was understandably left shaken and frightened by what happened.

“The severity of the sentence reflects the serious nature of Largent’s crime. Unwanted sexual behaviour will not be tolerated on the rail network and we will do all we can to put offenders before the courts.”