Sex assault on the Tube

A Tube passenger who pressed his groin against a pregnant woman has been jailed for nine months.

Zane Donovan, 25, sexually assaulted his shocked victim after she boarded the packed Victoria Line train at Green Park station in central London on 25 March.

The woman challenged Donovan in front of commuters and he replied: ‘How do you want me to stand, I got no space’.

Donovan left the train at Victoria station and he was arrested several days later after British Transport Police officers checked CCTV from the train.

Donovan, of White Gardens, Dagenham, admitted sexual assault.

He was jailed for nine months at Inner London Crown Court and handed a five-year sexual harm prevention order, prohibiting him from attempting to speak to any female in a public place who is not known to him – including on public transport.

Donovan was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

Detective Constable Brittany Armstrong, from the British Transport Police (BTP) said: ‘This incident was particularly alarming and distressing for the victim, and I’m pleased to see Donovan behind bars for such inappropriate behaviour.

‘Some people may not consider pressing a sexual offence, or serious enough to report especially in a crowded environment, however in the eyes of the law this is sexual assault and offenders will be caught and punished accordingly.

‘If you experience or witness this behaviour on the network, we urge you to alert an officer or report it by texting us on 61016. We will always take you seriously.’