Woman fights off would-be rapist on late-night Tube

A lone woman travelling on the Bakerloo line fought off a determined sex attacker who dragged her to the floor of a carriage and tried to rape her, forcing him to abandon the assault and flee.

Vincent Saxon, 54, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to attempted rape at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday. Judge Vanessa Baraitser remanded him in custody and ordered psychiatric and probation reports ahead of sentencing on 30 October.

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The attack took place at about 11.40pm on Saturday 11 July as the woman travelled alone between Waterloo and Lambeth North stations. Saxon approached her, exposed himself, then forcibly pulled her to the floor of the carriage and attempted to rape her. She resisted fiercely, managed to break free and left the train at Lambeth North, where she immediately alerted station staff who contacted British Transport Police.

Saxon remained on the train and alighted at the next stop, Elephant and Castle. Officers searched the area but could not find him.

Detectives later established he had also been at Oxford Circus before the attack and Piccadilly Circus afterwards. An urgent investigation followed, with CCTV images released and a media and social media appeal that prompted several members of the public to come forward.

One anonymous tip-off proved decisive: a caller reported seeing a man matching Saxon’s description outside a shop on Fulham Palace Road. Officers raced to the location, arrested him and later charged him. Forensic evidence recovered thanks to the victim’s determined resistance, combined with CCTV enquiries, left Saxon with little option but to admit the offence.

Detective Sergeant Krishan Appannah of British Transport Police praised the woman’s courage.

“First and foremost I would like to praise the victim for her bravery following what was clearly a terrifying ordeal. She was alone late at night when she was approached and attacked by Saxon without warning. She fought back ferociously against him before he fled. Her actions helped us recover vital forensic evidence that, along with our CCTV enquiries, would leave Saxon with no choice but to plead guilty. He is a dangerous and predatory offender and I’m pleased to see that we have secured justice for this brave victim, hopefully it will now be able to bring her some form of closure.”

Saxon, born 17 June 1972, remains in custody pending sentence.