Deneil Walker
(Picture: British Transport Police)A sex predator who groomed a young girl on Snapchat before sexually assaulting her on a train has been jailed for four years.
Deneil Walker, 21, swapped messages with the child before luring her to Northolt station in west London.
He paid for the victim’s travel and took her on a service bound for London Liverpool Street.
During the journey, Walker carried out a sex assault in the loos and then left, abandoning her on board.
The distraught girl approached members of the public for help and was soon taken to the nearest police station where she reported the crime on October 4 last year.
Walker, of Laburnum Close in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, was arrested early the next morning.
At Inner London Crown Court on Friday, July 15, he pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity.
Walker must sign the sex offenders register and was handed a restrictive sexual harm prevention order.
Among restrictions, he is banned from using a phone, or any device that connects to the internet, for eight years.
Detective Constable Vicki Bladen said: “The victim was in touch with us straightaway, a very brave thing to do while dealing with such a distressing offence.
“Within hours we were knocking on Walker’s door, finding crucial evidence such as the victim’s train ticket inside his man bag. He was arrested, charged and put before the courts.
“Sexual crimes are a priority for British Transport Police. Every person has the right to travel in safety, and anyone who is a witness or is a victim to a sexual crime is strongly encouraged to contact us.”
DC Bladen added: “No report is too small or trivial, we will always take you seriously.”
Victims can contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40.
