Judge refused to ban Leeds train pervert's name being published after 'predatory' assault
A judge told a pervert who groped a woman on a train that he would not grant him anonymity, claiming embarrassment was not a good enough reason.
Adeel Masood attempted to prevent his details from being published in the press, claiming it could lead to his family’s life being put in danger.
But having adjourned the matter for his claims to be investigated, the police flagged little concern.
During his sentencing hearing at Leeds Crown Court this week, Masood then attempted to claim it could have future repercussions on his young daughters.
But Judge Christopher Batty told him: “Embarrassment is not sufficient to withhold someone’s name and address.”
He said there was “no direct evidence” there was an imminent risk to his life or his wife’s.
Masood, whose address was given by the court as Broomer Street, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, was found guilty after a trial of sexual assault on a train from Leeds.
Outlining the case, prosecutor Richard Davies said in August 2023, Masood has boarded the service and sat next to a teenage woman.
He put his phone in front of her and asked her to put her number into it, which she refused.
She told him she had a boyfriend and he told her he was “just looking for some fun”.
Then a month later, he boarded the train again and made his way through the carriage. Despite numerous empty seats, he spotted the same woman and sat next to her.
He “shuffled” towards her and began pulling at her cardigan and stroking her thigh.
The court was told the woman was terrified what Masood would do next and was left feeling “trapped”.
She eventually told him to stop before she got off the train. She was shaken and crying, Mr Davies told the court.
She reported it to British Transport Police, who through CCTV footage were able to trace Masood.
Having been arrested, he told officers that she had “made a pass” at him and denied sexual assault.
He maintained his stance but a jury at Leeds Crown Court found him guilty following a trial in September last year.
Unrepresented in court, Masood, said that despite denying the offence, he accepted the verdict and said that he “understands that the court must apply the law”.
He said he had been married nearly 17 years and his wife had stood by him, despite causing her “pain and embarrassment”.
He added: “The last two-and-a-half years have been the most difficult period of my life.”
Judge Batty told him his behaviour had been “predatory”.
He gave him a two-year community order with 30 rehabilitation days to complete.
He also put him on the sex offender register for the next five years, ordered him to pay £300 court costs and gave him a five-year restraining order to keep him away from the victim.