DEAN FORTE: SEX OFFENDER FROM UPPER NORWOOD TARGETS YOUNG GIRLS ON LONDON BUSES

In a disturbing series of criminal acts, Dean Forte, a known sex offender residing in Upper Norwood, has been linked to multiple sexual assaults on young girls traveling on buses across various London boroughs. His latest conviction involves a heinous incident that took place on a bus route connecting Croydon and Lambeth, raising serious concerns about public safety and the ongoing threat posed by repeat offenders.

On Tuesday, April 11, at the Inner London Crown Court in Southwark, Forte was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl aboard a bus traveling between Croydon and Lambeth. The incident occurred on Monday, June 27 of the previous year, around 4:25 pm, on a route 468 bus that runs from the Swan and Sugarloaf in South Croydon through Croydon and towards Lambeth. The assault took place while the bus was passing through West Norwood, a busy area in South London.

The young victim was seated upstairs, towards the back of the bus, when Forte approached and sat beside her. Without warning, he proceeded to sexually assault her, an act that has now been confirmed by the jury after a thorough trial. Forte, who initially denied the allegations, was arrested following a media appeal issued by the Metropolitan Police, which helped in locating and apprehending him.

Forte, aged 36 at the time of the incident, is no stranger to the criminal justice system. In 2014, he was jailed for ten months and placed on the sex offenders register for seven years after a series of sexual assaults on buses. During that period, he managed to assault five young victims within just an hour, targeting girls as young as 12. His predatory behavior included sitting next to the girls and molesting their legs and buttocks, often on buses operating within the borough of Waltham Forest.

Further details reveal that in August 2014, Forte was sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of eight sexual assaults committed over three days in December. His crimes involved targeting young schoolgirls, with the youngest victim being only 12 years old. Following his conviction, he was banned from riding buses within the M25 area and prohibited from having contact with anyone under 16. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for ten years.

Authorities have expressed ongoing concern about Forte’s pattern of behavior, which demonstrates a disturbing tendency to target vulnerable young girls in public spaces. His criminal history underscores the importance of vigilance and the need for continued law enforcement efforts to prevent further harm.

Forte is scheduled to be sentenced at the Inner London Crown Court on Friday, May 12, where the full extent of his sentencing will be determined. His case remains a stark reminder of the dangers posed by repeat offenders and the critical importance of community safety measures in London and beyond.