James Gathercole committed his latest offence on a train to Sussex only 12 days after being released from prison on licence, according to British Transport Police (BTP).
The 40-year-old was handed a prison sentence of two years and four months at Lewes Crown Court last week after pleading guilty to two counts of exposure and being in breach of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and his prison release licence.
A woman on a train from London to East Grinstead noticed Gathercole staring at her from a nearby seat on the morning of July 15 last year.
After passengers in the same carriage left the train at East Croydon, he “fully exposed himself and began masturbating, still staring at the woman”, BTP said.
She got off the train at Upper Warlingham and reported the incident to a member of rail staff who contacted police.
Officers boarded the train at East Grinstead and found Gathercole, of Leigham Court Road, London, asleep on board and arrested him.
It later emerged he was in breach of a SHPO and prison release licence conditions.
In July 2024 he was jailed for two separate incidents on May 26 of that year when he exposed himself to women on trains in London and masturbated.
The ten-year SHPO he was given for that conviction banned him from making any form of contact with lone women, and using public transport without a payment method.
He broke both rules on July 15 last year, BTP said.
Gathercole also breached the conditions of his prison release licence six days earlier by not being inside his home after 7pm.
The second count of exposure for which he was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on February 2 related to another incident when he exposed himself and masturbated on a train in south London on June 4, 2024.
BTP Detective Constable Jean-Pierre Choolhun said: “It is entirely right that, following our investigation, James Gathercole is now back in custody.
“There is absolutely no place for this sickening behaviour in our society.
“We take all reports of sexual offending extremely seriously, and this case demonstrates that commitment.
“Our officers acted immediately, intercepting the train and arresting Gathercole shortly after the report was made.
“Anyone who is victim to, or witness of, a sexual offence on the railway can report it to us by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405040.”
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