A 35-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two friends at Leeds station. The conviction came as a result of a thorough investigation conducted by the British Transport Police.
Lloyd Morris, a resident of Kingston Terrace in Leeds, was convicted on two counts of sexual assault during a hearing in May. On 22 June, he was handed an 18-month prison sentence by Leeds Magistrates. In addition, Morris was issued a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187.
According to court proceedings, the incident took place on Tuesday, 14 June of the previous year. Morris approached the two women while they were seated on a bench outside Boots at Leeds station and requested money from them. Sensing unease with his behaviour, one of the women alerted a member of station security, who promptly intervened and advised Morris to leave the young women alone.
However, before departing, Morris sexually assaulted both victims. An image of the suspect was promptly circulated to police officers, who were able to identify him without delay.
Detective Constable Sam Killerby, the investigating officer, commended the bravery of the victims for their cooperation in the investigation. She expressed hope that the sentence imposed on Morris would contribute to their recovery from the traumatic experience.
DC Killerby emphasised the seriousness with which the British Transport Police treats reports of sexual harassment and unwanted sexual behaviour, assuring victims of their unwavering support throughout the investigative process. She urged victims or witnesses of sexual offences on the railway to promptly report incidents to the British Transport Police by texting 61016 or utilising the Railway Guardian app, emphasising that every report would be treated with utmost seriousness.
The successful conviction and sentencing of Lloyd Morris underscore the commitment of law enforcement to ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers at Leeds Station and on the railway network as a whole.
