Pervert walks free after 'despicable' sex assault on London bus

Walked free: Tharmalingam Sivagaran avoided jail after being found guilty of a sex attack against a young woman on a London bus
Met Police
Fiona Simpson12 April 2017
WEST END FINAL

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A pervert who subjected a vulnerable young woman to a “despicable” assault on a London bus has avoided jail.

Tharmalingam Sivagaran boarded a route 114 bus in Ruislip, west London, and sat next to his victim on the upper deck.

The 22-year-old woman was looking out of the window when she felt someone inappropriately rubbing against her, Wood Green Crown Court heard.

She turned around to face the 44-year-old, who was sitting behind her, and he apologised for his actions.

Shortly afterwards, he began to touch her again and opened his legs wide, pushing her against the window.

He then placed a finger on her inner thigh.

The woman escaped by sliding past her attacker, with her back towards him, but felt a hand on her bottom, the jury was told.

She then fled from the bus and called the police following the attack at 7pm on March 28 last year.

Following a three-day trial Sivagaran, from Harrow, was found guilty of sexual assault by touching.

He was sentenced to a 12 month community order and 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also handed a bill for £750 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

PC Neil Webb branded the attack “despicable” and praised the victim’s bravery in coming forward.

He said: "This was a despicable offence against a vulnerable young woman and I hope this sentence shows how seriously the police and courts take this crime.

“I would like to thank the victim for reporting the matter to police and for her courage in confronting her assailant and giving evidence during the trial.

Siwan Hayward, TfL's Head of Transport Policing, said: "I commend this woman for coming forward and bravely reporting this incident to police so that the perpetrator could be brought to justice.

“Although the chances of being a victim or witnessing a crime on the network are low, we are working closely with our policing partners to eliminate this unacceptable behaviour. I hope this result shows offenders that London's public transport is a hostile environment for sex offenders, that they are not welcome, will be identified and will be brought to justice."

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