SHAMSUL ISLAM BARKING SEX ATTACKER CAUGHT ON EAST LONDON BUSES AND TRAINS
| Red Rose Database
Barking Sexual Abuser
In March 2015, a disturbing series of sexual assaults committed by Shamsul Islam, a 33-year-old man from Barking, unfolded across various public transportation routes in east London. Islam was accused of targeting young women, some as young as 15, with a pattern of inappropriate touching while sitting next to them on buses and trains. His actions, described by authorities as 'continuous and predatory,' led to his arrest and subsequent conviction, resulting in a prison sentence and plans for deportation to Pakistan.
Islam’s offending spree included four separate incidents within a span of a few weeks. The first attack occurred on a C2C train traveling from Essex into central London, where Islam sat beside a young woman despite the availability of empty seats. According to court reports, he rubbed his elbow against her and, when she attempted to distance herself, he moved closer. The victim noticed his hand under her top, which prompted her to challenge him, causing him to get up and move away.
A few days later, Islam targeted a 15-year-old girl on a bus. She felt uneasy from the moment she saw him staring at her at the bus stop. Despite other available seats, he chose to sit next to her, staring and then touching her leg with his hand. He attempted to slide his hand under her top and onto her leggings, leaving her visibly distressed.
On the same day, another young girl, aged 16, was subjected to a similar assault. Islam sat beside her on a different bus and used his fingers to caress her stomach before moving his hand down to her shorts, leaving her 'paralyzed with fear.'
Weeks later, Islam was involved in yet another incident on a different bus, where he sat next to a girl and grabbed her breast. When she confronted him, he responded with apologies, claiming he was fasting and did not realize what he was doing. The victims were deeply affected by these assaults, with some describing feelings of fear, tears, and physical sickness when using public transport.
Islam’s arrest was facilitated by police tracking his Oyster card, which led to his identification and detention on September 17. During court proceedings, Judge Sheelagh Canavan condemned his actions, describing him as a 'serial, sexual pervert' and emphasizing that he posed a significant danger to society. She sentenced him to three years in prison and called for his immediate deportation to Pakistan.
The judge highlighted that Islam’s claims of ignorance due to fasting were false, noting that he was fully aware of his misconduct. She expressed concern over the psychological impact on his victims, acknowledging their distress and tears. She also criticized Islam’s use of religion as a justification for his behavior, stating that his devotion was merely a convenient excuse.
In her sentencing remarks, Judge Canavan stressed the importance of removing Islam from the UK as soon as possible, citing his non-national status and the need to protect the public from further harm. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such predatory behavior on public transportation, and authorities continue to urge victims to report any similar incidents to police by texting 61016 or calling 101.
Islam’s offending spree included four separate incidents within a span of a few weeks. The first attack occurred on a C2C train traveling from Essex into central London, where Islam sat beside a young woman despite the availability of empty seats. According to court reports, he rubbed his elbow against her and, when she attempted to distance herself, he moved closer. The victim noticed his hand under her top, which prompted her to challenge him, causing him to get up and move away.
A few days later, Islam targeted a 15-year-old girl on a bus. She felt uneasy from the moment she saw him staring at her at the bus stop. Despite other available seats, he chose to sit next to her, staring and then touching her leg with his hand. He attempted to slide his hand under her top and onto her leggings, leaving her visibly distressed.
On the same day, another young girl, aged 16, was subjected to a similar assault. Islam sat beside her on a different bus and used his fingers to caress her stomach before moving his hand down to her shorts, leaving her 'paralyzed with fear.'
Weeks later, Islam was involved in yet another incident on a different bus, where he sat next to a girl and grabbed her breast. When she confronted him, he responded with apologies, claiming he was fasting and did not realize what he was doing. The victims were deeply affected by these assaults, with some describing feelings of fear, tears, and physical sickness when using public transport.
Islam’s arrest was facilitated by police tracking his Oyster card, which led to his identification and detention on September 17. During court proceedings, Judge Sheelagh Canavan condemned his actions, describing him as a 'serial, sexual pervert' and emphasizing that he posed a significant danger to society. She sentenced him to three years in prison and called for his immediate deportation to Pakistan.
The judge highlighted that Islam’s claims of ignorance due to fasting were false, noting that he was fully aware of his misconduct. She expressed concern over the psychological impact on his victims, acknowledging their distress and tears. She also criticized Islam’s use of religion as a justification for his behavior, stating that his devotion was merely a convenient excuse.
In her sentencing remarks, Judge Canavan stressed the importance of removing Islam from the UK as soon as possible, citing his non-national status and the need to protect the public from further harm. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such predatory behavior on public transportation, and authorities continue to urge victims to report any similar incidents to police by texting 61016 or calling 101.