Man jailed for 10 months for sexual assault on Blackpool-bound train

A 46-year-old man has been jailed for 10 months after he sexually assaulted a female passenger and attempted to follow her into the toilet cubicle on a Blackpool-bound train.

Shaun Largent, of Lime Pit Lane, Stanley, Wakefield, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Thursday, 17 December 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. 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.

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

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

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

Investigating officer PC Adam Heslop said: