Adam Abdullah molested woman on train

Adam Abdullah, 34, told the victim “this is going to be a fun three hours” when he saw their adjacent seats, said Kathryn Reeve, prosecuting. She felt anxious and uncomfortable as he continued talking saying she “needed a bad boy in the bedroom” and that he was “a bad boy”.

When she tried to end the conversation by putting on headphones, saying she was tired, and closing her eyes as if she was asleep, he sexually assaulted her.

York magistrates decided Abdullah needed a longer sentence than the six months they could impose and sent him to York Crown Court for sentence on April 23.

Abdullah, of Strathmore Crescent, Newcastle, denied sexual assault and possession of khat, a Class C drug, but was convicted at a trial.

Magistrates heard the woman was on the Virgin East Coast service from King's Cross to Aberdeen on June 3. Ms Reeve said when the woman closed her eyes, Abdullah put his head on her shoulder for a few moments then started to touch her inappropriately.

“She felt scared and intimidated and looked around for anyone she could ask for help,” said Ms Reeve. “She was concerned about what he would do next, so she went into first class, called her boyfriend and told staff.”

Train staff gave her a new seat, and alerted police who were waiting for Abdullah when the train reached York. Abdullah has previous convictions for robbery and other offences.

For Abdullah, James Fox-McGowan said he had been drinking vodka and was “genuinely remorseful”. “He doesn’t believe this will happen again,” said the defence lawyer. Abdullah was released on bail.