Belvedere man pleads guilty to sexually assaulting woman on train (From News Shopper)

Belvedere man Iqbal Singh pleads guilty to sexually assaulting woman on Abbey Wood to Dartford train

3:32pm Tuesday 14th February 2012 in Bexley By Kelly Smale

A 28-YEAR-OLD man who sexually assaulted a woman on a train claimed he may have thought the victim was his wife.

Iqbal Singh, of Maida Road, Belvedere, appeared at Dartford Magistrates' Court today (February 14) and pleaded guilty to committing the offence between Abbey Wood and Dartford railway station.

On December 2 last year the victim was on board a Southeastern train which left Charing Cross at 9.40pm.

As it left Abbey Wood station she became aware of a man with his hand on her knee.

She then saw him rub his genitals through his trousers and heard him make gasping noises.

Prosecutor Alistir Dixon said: "She challenged the defendant about his behaviour and because the defendant didn't move she moved to a different seat on the train."

When Singh was arrested and interviewed he told officers he had developed an erection and was trying to cover it up with his hands.

He also claimed he had been the one to move seats.

Magistrates were told Singh had been out with friends in Bexleyheath and had drunk one pint of Stella and three shots of Whisky.

Avtar Dohil, defending, said:"He has actually been very disgusted to hear what has been said about him.

"He is very sorry for is actions. He is very ashamed, embarrassed and he says he cannot exactly recall the incident himself. He understands that obviously being drunk is no defence."

Miss Dohil told the court that when she asked him why he might have done it, he told her: "I don't know why. I was sitting thinking I was at home and thinking that person was my wife."

Magistrates heard the incident was "completely out of character" for Singh, who moved to the UK from India in 2009 with his wife.

Miss Dohil added: "He does come from an Asian background and coming from such a cultural background is very damning in terms of dishonour. Not only to him but also to his family here and also in India."

Singh will be sentenced on March 6 while a pre-sentence report is prepared.