Following a British Transport Police investigation, Lirim Nela, 33, has been handed an 18-month suspended sentence after targeting two young women on the London Underground.

On Friday, 28th May, a judge at Inner London Crown Court gave him the prison sentence, suspended for 24 months and was also given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and is required to pay the victims £500 in compensation.

Lirim will also be electronically monitored with a curfew between 7pm and 5am for five months.

Back on the 3rd July 2018, Lirim’s first victim was travelling on a Central Line Tube Train near Leyton when she felt something shunting into her back. This continued before she turned round to find Nela pushing his crotch into her back. She confronted Lirim and a member of the public intervened and suggested calling the police.

A few months later, in October, three plain-clothed police offers at Oxford Circus Underground Station found Nela stood on the platform looking at women around him.

The group boarded an eastbound train, with Lirim following them, in which the officers also followed him onto the train.

Lirim was then seen to push his groin into an individual within the group, the individual being a 15-year-old girl. He was also seen to touch himself inappropriately over his paints before officers removed him from the train and was then arrested and taken to custody.

He was further arrested in connection to the sexual assault that took place in July 2018 by BTP officers on Friday 2 November 2018.

BTP Detective Constable, Ming-Xia Powell, said: “Neal’s behaviour was odious and wholly unacceptable – he imposed himself upon two separate victims for his own sexual gratification.

“I would like to personally thank the victims for assisting the investigation. Their help was vital in bringing him to justice.

“I would urge anyone subjected to, or witness to, unwanted sexual behaviour on the railway to report it to us – no report is too small or insignificant and we will always take you seriously.

“To do this, please text 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40. In an emergency, always dial 999.”

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