Esosa Eguakun

On the evening of Saturday, October 12, 2021, a distressing incident of sexual assault occurred on a bus departing from Chichester Bus Station in West Sussex. Esosa Eguakun, a 27-year-old man residing on Stockbridge Road in Chichester, boarded the bus and, despite it being almost empty, chose to sit directly behind a woman in her 20s. This unusual choice immediately made the victim feel uncomfortable and threatened, as reported by Sussex Police.

As the bus journey progressed, Eguakun escalated his actions by reaching through the back of the seat and repeatedly touching the woman’s bottom. Alarmed and fearful, the victim attempted to disembark at the next stop. However, upon noticing that Eguakun was following her, she quickly alerted the bus driver, who promptly contacted the police. Officers from Sussex Police arrived swiftly and arrested Eguakun on Chichester Road in Bognor Regis.

During his initial police interview, Eguakun denied the offence. However, he later confessed to the sexual assault, leading to formal charges. At court, he entered a guilty plea. On Monday, July 25, 2022, Eguakun was sentenced and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years. In addition to this, he was ordered to complete a 30-day rehabilitation programme, perform 200 hours of unpaid work, and pay compensation to the victim.

Detective Sergeant Rebecca Hopkins of Sussex Police commented on the case, stating: “This was an extremely distressing experience for a young woman who was simply trying to make her way home. I would like to thank her for reporting the incident, allowing our officers to swiftly arrest a suspect, and supporting our investigation to help bring Esosa Eguakun to justice.” She further praised the responding and investigating officers for their thorough work, which resulted in a confession, and reiterated Sussex Police’s commitment to preventing violence against women and girls, ensuring perpetrators are caught and victims receive support and justice.

The incident underscores the vulnerabilities faced by women in everyday situations, as highlighted by the police. Sussex Police, the prosecuting force, emphasised their ongoing efforts to address such crimes through proactive investigations and community safety measures. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of reporting sexual offences to enable swift action and accountability.