Leon Pawlica – London

Drunk train sex attacker jailed after lifting woman’s skirt and sexually assaulting her during morning rush hour

A 59-year-old man who drank half a litre of vodka before sexually assaulting a woman on a busy London commuter train has been jailed after CCTV captured the attack and his subsequent pursuit of the victim through a railway station.

Leon Pawlica targeted the woman while travelling on a train from London Victoria towards West Croydon during the morning rush hour on Wednesday, 22 May 2019.

The court heard that Pawlica had consumed approximately half a litre of vodka before boarding the train shortly after 8.30am.

During the journey, he approached a female passenger and attempted to strike up a conversation with her.

The woman became uncomfortable with his behaviour and moved away from him.

However, when the train reached Crystal Palace station and she attempted to leave, Pawlica approached her again.

As the woman was getting off the train, Pawlica lifted her skirt and sexually assaulted her.

The victim immediately challenged him over his actions, but instead of leaving her alone, Pawlica followed her off the train.

He continued pursuing her through Crystal Palace station, leaving the woman sufficiently frightened and distressed that she sought help from railway staff.

Station employees intervened and contacted the police.

British Transport Police officers attended the station and searched the surrounding area in an effort to locate the suspect.

Pawlica was subsequently found, arrested and taken into police custody.

During police questioning, Pawlica attempted to blame the victim for the sexual assault.

He initially claimed that he had been too intoxicated to remember what had happened.

However, he later changed his account and suggested the woman had encouraged his behaviour.

He told officers that the victim was “sexually provoking it herself… because her legs were open”.

Despite the incident being captured on CCTV, Pawlica continued to deny responsibility for the assault.

The footage provided crucial evidence of what had happened on the train and helped establish the circumstances surrounding the offence.

The case was brought before City of London Magistrates’ Court, where Pawlica contested the allegation.

On Wednesday, 25 September 2019, Pawlica was found guilty of sexual assault.

Following his conviction, the court sentenced him to 20 weeks in prison.

The judge also imposed several additional measures intended to protect members of the public and reduce the risk of further offending.

Pawlica was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for seven years.

He was also made subject to a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, placing restrictions on his behaviour while using public transport.

Under the order, Pawlica was prohibited from carrying opened alcohol and from sitting next to or directly opposite a woman travelling alone on public transport.

He was additionally ordered to pay £775 in court costs.

The restrictions reflected the circumstances of the offence, which involved alcohol consumption, unwanted sexual contact and the pursuit of a lone female passenger.

The victim had attempted to avoid Pawlica by moving away from him during the journey, but he continued his behaviour as she left the train.

Her decision to seek assistance from station staff resulted in police being called and the offender being arrested nearby.

Pawlica was jailed for 20 weeks, placed on the sex offenders register for seven years and banned from sitting next to or opposite lone female passengers on public transport under a seven-year court order.