A man has been returned to custody after committing further sexual offences on public transport, merely twelve days following his release from prison. James Gathercole, aged 40, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on February 2, 2026, after pleading guilty to multiple charges.
Details of the Latest Incident
On July 15, 2025, Gathercole was travelling on a train from London to East Grinstead when he fully exposed himself and began masturbating. He continuously stared at a lone female passenger until she disembarked at Upper Warlingham station. British Transport Police officers boarded the train at East Grinstead, where they found Gathercole asleep and promptly arrested him.
Breach of Court Orders and Licence Conditions
Gathercole pleaded guilty to two counts of exposure and being in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and his prison release licence. The SHPO, originally imposed in July 2024 after previous similar incidents on May 26, 2024, prohibited him from any contact with lone women and from using public transport without a valid payment method.
Additionally, he breached his prison release licence conditions by not being inside his home after 7pm on July 9, 2025, just six days before the train incident. This pattern of behaviour underscores his disregard for legal restrictions designed to protect the public.
Previous Offences and Legal History
The second count of exposure for which he was sentenced relates to an earlier incident on June 4, 2024, when he exposed himself and masturbated on a train in south London. His criminal history includes a prior jail term and the SHPO for these acts, highlighting a recurrent issue with sexual offending on trains.
Police Response and Statement
British Transport Police Detective Constable Jean-Pierre Choolhun emphasised the seriousness with which such cases are treated. He stated, ‘It is entirely right that, following our investigation, James Gathercole is now back in custody. There is absolutely no place for this sickening behaviour in our society.’
DC Choolhun added, ‘We take all reports of sexual offending extremely seriously, and this case demonstrates that commitment. Our officers acted immediately, intercepting the train and arresting Gathercole shortly after the report was made.’
Broader Implications for Public Safety
This case raises concerns about the effectiveness of preventive orders and post-release supervision for sexual offenders. The rapid reoffending suggests gaps in monitoring and support systems that need addressing to enhance safety on public transport.
Authorities continue to urge victims and witnesses to report such incidents promptly, as demonstrated by the swift police action in this instance. The commitment to investigating and prosecuting these crimes remains a priority for transport police across the UK.
