A man who followed and made sexual comments to a teenage girl on a York train has been jailed.
A court heard that Zainal Osman, 31, of Barlby Road, Selby, committed the offences while on a train from York to Sherburn-in-Elmet at around 9.50pm on 25 May.
Osman, who was visibly drunk, began to follow a 15-year-old girl on the train.
He repeatedly professed his love for her, and despite the girl telling Osman her age he continued to make advances.
She called 999 and a ticket inspector who saw what was happening intervened, allowing the girl to safely leave the train.
British Transport Police officers met the train at the next stop, Selby station, and Osman was arrested and taken into custody.
Osman pleaded guilty at York Magistrates’ Court to engaging in sexual communication with a child.
He also admitted failing to notify police of a change of address as part of his notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act.
He was sentenced to 32 weeks’ imprisonment and ordered to pay a victim surcharge. Osman must also sign the sex offenders register for ten years.
Investigating officer DC Liam Brown said: “The actions of the young girl in alerting 999, and the intervention of the ticket inspector, meant we were able to act fast to detain Osman.
“This was a frightening ordeal for the girl and it is because of her bravery that Osman, who has a Sexual Harm Prevention Order because of a previous offence, has been brought to justice.
“These kinds of offences will absolutely not be tolerated on the railway network. I urge any victims of sexual offences to report them immediately.”
He said victims of crime on the rail network can report by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 405040, or call 999 in an emergency.