Matthew Lewis

Matthew Lewis, a 55-year-old man from Sittingbourne in Kent with an extensive criminal history, was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court for sexually assaulting a teenage girl on a train. The incident occurred on 3 June 2021, during a journey from Margate to Rainham. Lewis, who was heavily intoxicated, approached two 16-year-old girls on the train at around 9:30pm, persistently asking them for a drink and to run away with him despite their clear discomfort and statements about their age.

The assault escalated when Lewis sat next to the victim and placed his hand on her bare leg, stroking it in an upward direction. A nearby passenger noticed the girls' distress and confronted Lewis, while others encouraged the girls to move further down the carriage for safety. The girls disembarked at Rainham station, but Lewis followed them. They alerted rail staff, who reported the matter to British Transport Police (BTP), leading to his immediate arrest.

Lewis's criminal record is described as 'truly appalling,' comprising 95 convictions for 251 offences, including a prior conviction for exposure. At the time of the assault, he was in breach of a criminal behaviour order that prohibited him from travelling on trains while drunk. Subsequent to the incident, in July 2021, he was found drunk and unconscious on another train at Faversham station, covered in vomit and in possession of amphetamines. He had recently been released from HMP Elmley and provided a false address to police, further breaching sex offender notification requirements.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Anoushka Twining detailed the assault: 'Mr Lewis approached two young females while drunk, and he’s said to have made comments towards them. The girls removed themselves from their location towards other passengers and Mr Lewis sat next to them. He has then placed his hand on the victim’s leg and stroked in an upward direction. This was on bare skin.' Judge Mark Weekes condemned Lewis's actions as a 'frightening and repellent act' on a 'brave girl,' noting the profound impact on her. He highlighted Lewis's persistent disregard for court orders, stating: 'You made it virtually your mission in life to disobey those terms [of the criminal behaviour orders].'

In mitigation, defence counsel Phil Rowley acknowledged Lewis's severe alcohol issues, which led to his 'disorderly and chaotic behaviour,' and conveyed his desire to apologise to the victim. The victim attended the hearing and described the lasting effects of the assault. Detective Constable Stephen Gadd of BTP welcomed the sentence, describing Lewis as a 'dangerous individual' whose 'vile behaviour' caused significant distress. Lewis pleaded guilty to sexual assault, breaching criminal behaviour orders, failing to comply with notification requirements, and possession of a class B drug at Folkestone Magistrates Court in May 2022.

• Source: The Independent, article dated 3 October 2022.
• Court: Canterbury Crown Court.
• Police Force: British Transport Police.