Nigerian Daniel Odubanjo sentenced to jail for sexual attacks in London

A 27-year-old UK-based Nigerian, Daniel Odubanjo, has been convicted of false imprisonment and two counts of sexual attacks on a train and sentenced to six years behind bars.

Odubanjo sexually assaulted a woman after cornering her in a train toilet before attacking a teenage girl minutes afterwards.

He received his sentence at Chelmsford Crown Court following his conviction at trial.

The British Transport Police have commended the bravery of the victims in coming forward, and of other passengers who intervened during the second attack.

According to local media reports, Odubanjo, from King Avenue in Clapham, was travelling on a service from Shenfield to Chelmsford on November 29, 2024, when he persistently hammered on the toilet door while it was occupied.

The woman inside hurriedly washed her hands and unlocked the door, anticipating another passenger needing to use the toilet.

Instead, she was confronted by Odubanjo, who shoved her back into the cubicle and secured the door, seizing her wrists and sexually assaulting her.

The woman, aged 21 at the time, succeeded in opening the door and tried to alert a fellow passenger, but he dragged her back into the toilet where he continued the sexual assault whilst she cried out for help.

Only when she falsely claimed to be 14 years old did Odubanjo release her. In an extremely distressed condition, she contacted a member of staff and alighted at Chelmsford where she reported the incident to BTP.

Shortly afterwards, Odubanjo approached a 17-year-old girl boarding the service and positioned himself opposite her. He posed a series of inappropriate questions before exposing himself, reports Essex Live.

After he excused himself to use the toilet, the teenager relocated to be nearer to other passengers, informing them of the incident, but Odubanjo came back and positioned himself beside her before sexually assaulting her. A fellow passenger seated close by intervened and pulled Odubanjo away from the girl.

Officers from British Transport Police met the train at Hatfield Peverel station, on the outskirts of Chelmsford, where Odubanjo was detained.

Jurors convicted him of false imprisonment and two counts of sexual assault.

At Chelmsford Crown Court on January 12, he received a six-year custodial sentence, was instructed to pay a victim surcharge and was issued with a Sexual Health Prevention Order (SHPO) barring him from being intoxicated by any substance whilst using public transport, at stations or on Network Rail premises.

MyLondon quoted BTP Detective Sergeant Hayley Whyte as saying: “Odubanjo preyed on a young woman and a teenage girl in terrifying attacks just minutes apart.

“Both were left distressed and traumatised by the vile assaults he subjected them to. Despite this, their courage and determination to see him brought to justice has resulted in a suitably lengthy prison sentence.

“I commend their bravery, and that of the bystanders who intervened in the second attack.

“If you experience or witness a sexual offence on-board a train or at a station, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016, or dial 999 in an emergency.

“Every report is taken seriously, and we will take swift action to trace sexual offenders like Odubanjo and ensure they face justice.”