A former Great Western Railway train manager has been sentenced to seven years in prison for sexually assaulting an 18-year-old passenger on a train in Wales. The conviction comes amid a BBC investigation that found reports of sexual offences on trains have increased by more than a third over the past decade.
Nicholas McMurray, 38, from Swansea, was arrested on the platform at Swansea Station after the victim reported the assault. The incident occurred on a mainline train between London Paddington and Swansea, where McMurray, as the train manager, asked to check the woman’s ticket before adjusting her dress and sexually assaulting her. The victim immediately informed police upon arrival, leading to McMurray’s arrest with bodycam footage capturing the moment.
McMurray was found guilty of sexual assault and assault by penetration at Swansea Crown Court earlier this year and has been placed on the sex offenders register for life. Great Western Railway stated that he was immediately removed from duty and resigned during disciplinary proceedings, where dismissal was the likely outcome.
The case is part of a larger trend, with data from British Transport Police showing a 37% rise in sexual offence reports across England, Scotland, and Wales since 2015. Last year alone, there were 2,661 incidents, including cases involving children under 13. This increase is attributed to both more incidents and greater willingness to report due to awareness campaigns.
Victims like Rhiannon Williams and Maddie Waktare have shared their experiences of feeling trapped and intimidated on trains. Rhiannon, 18, was harassed by a group of men on a train in west Wales, while Maddie, 30, was assaulted on a train from London Waterloo. Both emphasized the difficulty of escaping such situations and the normalization of harassment.
British Transport Police are responding with increased patrols, including plain clothes officers targeting individuals who loiter near lone females. Detective Chief Inspector Nia Mellor stated that the force takes every allegation seriously and is relentless in pursuing offenders to ensure railway safety.
The Rail Delivery Group, representing train operators, reaffirmed a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment. A UK government spokesperson noted that the rise in reports may reflect improved awareness and encouraged victims to come forward, with initiatives like a £17 million investment in CCTV to aid investigations.
Overall, the sentencing of McMurray underscores ongoing challenges in combating sexual offences on public transport, with authorities urging vigilance and reporting to make railways safer for all passengers.