Leighton Phillips convicted of sexual assaults on train after Six Nations match
Groomed girls on train from Cardiff to Shrewsbury
Leighton Phillips, 34, from Forest Road, Shropshire, was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault at Swansea Crown Court on 18 September. Phillips targeted two young girls on a train traveling from Cardiff to Shrewsbury shortly after the Wales vs Italy Six Nations game.
At around 5pm on 1 February, a 14-year-old girl standing in the carriage aisle spotted Phillips staring at her. He then proceeded to stroke her thigh. Later, he touched the thigh of an 11-year-old girl sitting nearby, but she pushed his hand away.
Passengers intervene as Phillips denies accusations
The distressed girls moved away, but Phillips continued to watch them. Before the pair got off at Abergavenny station, a fellow passenger confronted Phillips, who denied the allegations, claiming, “I’m a police officer.”
After the incident was reported, British Transport Police (BTP) arrested Phillips at Shrewsbury station.
Harsh sentence handed down
Phillips received a two-year community order, must attend 20 rehabilitation activity days, and will wear an electronic tag with a curfew from 10pm to 7am for three months. He is also on the sex offenders’ register for five years.
Police praise victims and warn offenders
“Tackling all forms of unwanted sexual behaviour on the railway is a priority for us,” said BTP Detective Inspector Paul Stanley. “We commend the bravery of the victims and their families. This conviction sends a clear message: sexual predators will not be tolerated.”
Detective Constable Nicholas Donovan led a “thorough and comprehensive” investigation into the case.
The BTP urges anyone experiencing issues on trains to report them via the discreet 61016 text service.
