First prosecution under new sex harassment law

A TRAIN passenger who grabbed a young woman’s hair and asked “can I kiss you?” has been sentenced in the first conviction for harassment based on a person’s sex.

- ELLIE CRABBE and OSCAR RIHILL

David Stroud, 44, made sexually motivated comments to the victim on a train to London on April 3, two days after a new law came into force banning harassment because of a person’s sex.

He pleaded guilty to harassing the woman at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court, which heard Stroud sat next to the woman, who was on the phone to her boyfriend at the time, on a train which left Hastings at about 8.50pm.

The defendant, of Dartford, Kent, tried to make conversation with the woman, who attempted to ignore him, the court heard.

He was “constantly leaning on to the woman” and got closer, telling her “you’re magical” and grabbing her hair, which the victim “perceived to be sexual”.

In a statement, his victim said: “David Stroud’s crime has impacted every part of my life. I now struggle to get on public transport, especially trains, both alone and with friends. When I do travel, I’m on constant alert and I’m extra-vigilant.

“Women are used to this happening to them, whereas men are not. Some men may see this case and dismiss David Stroud’s actions as banter or just someone being drunk.

“But they don’t have the same fears as women. We have to think about what streets we walk down and have to be constantly aware of the dangers of assault or harassment at the hands of men.