Ilford man jailed for indecently touching 14-year-old every day for a month on Central Line
Paul Toal - Credit: Archant
An Ilford man who indecently touched a 14-year-old girl every day for a month when she travelled to school on the Central Line has been jailed for two years.
After the girl reported it, plain clothes British Transport Police (BTP) officers travelled with her and arrested Paul Toal, of Devonport Gardens, as soon as he struck again.
The 59-year-old was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Hollybush Hill, yesterday, having previously been found guilty of four counts of sexual assault, two in relation to an assault against a 26-year-old woman in 2011.
The court heard that on February 9 last year, the 14-year-old girl was on her way to school onboard a westbound Central line train at Redbridge station.
Toal stood next to the victim and indecently touched her before leaving the train at Mile End.
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The victim told her friends about what happened and was overheard by a teacher, who encouraged her to report it.
The next day BTP officers travelled with her and during the journey, Toal indecently touched the victim again and he was arrested.
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The victim told officers Toal had committed the offence every day for a month but she had been too scared to report it.
The court also heard about Toal committing an offence against a 26-year-old woman between November 21 and 25, 2011, on a busy Victoria line train at Oxford Circus.
During the journey Toal indecently touched her, which she at first believed to be an accident so did not say anything.
He was sentenced to two years in prison, was given a sexual offences prevention order and was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.
Det Con Claire Sheals, said: “I’d firstly like to commend both victims for providing an excellent account of what happened and for having the courage to stand up and give evidence against Toal in court.
“Toal was a prolific offender and is now in jail for his disgusting behaviour.
“We take sexual assaults very seriously and do everything we can to identify and arrest those responsible.”
