A man lured a girl into the toilets on board a train, claiming he was too nervous to go alone, then sexually assaulted her.

Deneil Walker, 21, was jailed for four years at Inner London Crown Court on Friday 15 July.

He met with the victim at Northolt station in West London, paid for her travel and took her on a train heading to Liverpool Street.

The sex offender had been grooming the child on Snapchat, swapping messages back and forth before arranging to meet.

On the journey, he lured her into the toilets, sexually assaulted her, then left, abandoning her on board.

The distraught victim approached members of the public for help, and was soon taken to the closest police station where she reported the crime.

The offence happened in the evening on Monday 4 October.

Walker, of Laburnum Close in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, was arrested early the next morning.

At court he pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity.

He was also signed onto the sex offenders register and handed a restrictive sexual harm prevention order.

Among the restrictions he was banned from using a phone, or any device that connects to the internet, for eight years.

Detective Constable Vicki Bladen said: “The victim was in touch with us straightaway, a very brave thing to do while dealing with such a distressing offence.

“Within hours we were knocking on Walker’s door, finding crucial evidence such as the victim’s train ticket inside his man bag. He was arrested, charged and put before the courts.

“Sexual crimes are a priority for British Transport Police. Every person has the right to travel in safety, and anyone who is a witness or is a victim to a sexual crime is strongly encouraged to contact us.

“No report is too small or trivial, we will always take you seriously. Contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40.”