A former Great Western Railway train manager has been jailed for seven years after sexually assaulting an 18-year-old female passenger on a train in Wales. The assault occurred after he approached her to check her ticket, leading to his arrest on the platform and a conviction that underscores ongoing issues with sexual harassment on railways.
The incident took place on a service from Cardiff to Swansea when Nicholas McMurray, 38, assaulted the teenager in an isolated area near the carriage doors. He initially enquired about her ticket before touching her inappropriately and moving her skirt to assess the situation, as described in court proceedings. The victim, who had consumed about five alcoholic drinks but was not inebriated, felt cornered and unable to escape the confined space of the train.
McMurray then touched the victim’s right breast without invitation, kissed her passionately and aggressively, and penetrated her with his fingers. This occurred towards the end of the journey as she prepared to exit, leaving her shocked and distressed. The immediate reporting to authorities highlights the bravery of the victim in coming forward despite the traumatic experience.
Upon arrival at Swansea Station, the victim immediately reported the assault to British Transport Police officers, who arrested McMurray on the platform. Officers used evidence preservation techniques, such as placing bags over his hands, before taking him into custody. His arrest was captured on bodycam footage, which has been released as part of a broader investigation into sexual offences on railways.
At Swansea Crown Court, McMurray was found guilty of sexual assault and assault by penetration after a trial where he lied to police, claiming the victim had tried to kiss him. Judge Huw Rees sentenced him to seven years in prison, with at least two-thirds to be served behind bars, and placed him on the sex offenders register for life. The judge emphasized that McMurray abused his position of trust to satisfy his sexual desires.
The assault has had a profound impact on the victim, who now suffers from anxiety around men and failed a driving test due to fear of being in a confined space with a male instructor. She described feeling devastated and trapped during the incident, underscoring the long-term emotional and psychological effects of such crimes. Her courage in reporting the assault and participating in the legal process has been commended by authorities.
This case emerges amid a broader increase in sexual offences on trains, with reports rising by more than a third since 2015 across England, Scotland, and Wales, according to a BBC investigation. Many incidents involve children and go unreported, with victims often feeling intimidated or unable to escape. The normalization of such behavior and underreporting remain significant challenges, as highlighted by other cases in the report.
British Transport Police and train operators have reinforced zero-tolerance policies, with increased plain clothes patrols and efforts to improve CCTV access. The UK government has pledged funding to enhance safety, while authorities encourage reporting via text to 61016 to hold offenders accountable. These measures aim to create a safer environment for all passengers, though addressing deep-rooted issues requires continued public awareness and support for victims.