DAN WACHIRA SEXUALLY ASSAULTS TEEN GIRL ON RAINHAM BUS AFTER SHE TRIES TO HELP HIM

In February 2019, a distressing incident unfolded at Exeter Bus Station involving a young woman and a man named Dan Wachira, who was later identified as residing in Rainham. The victim, an 18-year-old girl, was simply waiting for her bus when Wachira approached her, initiating a conversation by claiming he was trying to return to London. She kindly offered to assist him by inquiring about the bus schedule, but the encounter quickly took a sinister turn.

According to court reports, Wachira, a 34-year-old Kenyan-born asylum seeker, began to pester the girl after she informed him there was no direct bus to London and that he would need to purchase a ticket online. He then started to ask her to accompany him to a hotel or to stay in Exeter, repeatedly blocking her path and attempting to prevent her from walking away. When she asked for her lighter back, Wachira forcibly grabbed her hand and pulled her closer, continuing to press her for drinks and companionship despite her repeated refusals. During this interaction, he called her “Cutie” and “Beautiful,” attempting to flatter her in a manner that was clearly inappropriate.

As the girl’s bus arrived, she managed to board and was followed by Wachira upstairs. The court heard that he persisted in his advances, whispering in her ear, stroking her face, and putting his arms around her shoulders. Despite her efforts to make her distress known by speaking loudly, no bystanders intervened. Wachira’s behavior escalated when, as she tried to leave, he grabbed her bottom before she could escape. Throughout this half-hour ordeal, CCTV footage captured him whispering to her, touching her, and refusing to respect her boundaries.

The victim later provided a statement in court, describing the profound impact the assault had on her life. She explained that she was so traumatized that she avoided leaving her house for a week, fearing Wachira’s presence or a repeat incident. Her confidence was shattered, leading her to quit her job and relocate to another town for safety reasons.

Wachira, who has no prior convictions, admitted to the sexual assault during the court proceedings. He claimed that his actions had been misinterpreted and insisted he had done nothing wrong. The court was informed that he had been served with deportation documents the day after the incident, although he had lodged an asylum claim, citing fears of persecution and potential death if returned to Kenya due to the political situation there. Despite this, Judge David Evans noted that his deportation was ultimately a matter for the government, especially since Wachira had overstayed his visa.

Judge Evans emphasized the importance of safety on public transport, stating that the victim’s experience had caused lasting harm. He highlighted that Wachira’s continued advances and sexual misconduct demonstrated a blatant disregard for her wishes, exploiting her kindness and youth. Wachira was sentenced to one year in prison for his actions, a decision that underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are treated. The court’s ruling also acknowledged the ongoing emotional and psychological toll inflicted on the victim, who had to rebuild her life after the traumatic event.