A sexual predator, who masturbated in a woman’s car near Crayford and forced himself on her while pretending to be a bus driver, has been jailed.

Liam Martin, 26, of St James’ Road, Southwark, described himself as a “bus enthusiast” to police after he sexually attacked two women last year.

Martin stalked one victim from Trafalgar Square after boarding a bus with her dressed as a driver.

He forced her to hold his hand before touching her inappropriately.

The 23-year-old victim managed to get away from the wannabe bus driver but he tracked the young woman back to her car.

Martin then pushed her against a fence and kissed her forcefully.

The victim tried to escape but Martin jumped into the passenger seat and exposed himself.

He then started to perform a sex act on himself as she drove to Crayford town centre.

She eventually managed to force the fraudster out.  Martin committed his first offence in the early hours of the September 30 when he came across an 18-year-old woman who was making her way home.

Wearing a hi-vis jacket similar to a bus driver’s, Martin was giving directions to people waiting at a bus stop near Leicester Square.

He approached the woman and told her that he worked for a bus company and offered to help her find the correct bus stop to get her home.

They walked around for approximately 25 minutes during which time Martin asked her to hold his hand - she did.

At 2am they arrived at a bus stop in Piccadilly Circus.

The suspect began talking about sexually explicit activities before pulling her close to him and forcibly kissing her.

He also inappropriately touched her, but the victim managed to struggle free and ran off back towards Leicester Square.

CCTV images were obtained from the bus and circulated to the public.  Martin handed himself into police when he became aware they were looking for him.

During the interview, Martin classed himself as a bus enthusiast and said that he had made the hi-vis jacket himself and was not in employment of any bus company.

He has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and has received a Sexual Harassment Protection Order after he pleaded guilty to both offences.

Martin was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on October 4.

Detective Superintendent Adnan Qureshi, of the Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: "This is a robust sentence that reflects the seriousness of the offences and the traumatic effect it has had on the young victims.

“Liam Martin is a dangerous predator and has received a lengthy jail sentence and entry onto the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

"If you commit an offence on London’s transport network, we will pursue and arrest you - we will get those responsible.

"If you ever experience unwanted sexual behaviour, report it to the police. You will always be taken seriously and the incident will be fully investigated."

Steve Burton, TfL’s Director of Enforcement and On-Street Operations, said: "We are pleased this sexual predator has been caught and imprisoned for these appalling crimes against two young victims.

“Martin deceived the young women by purporting to be a bus driver and then used this position to sexually assault them.

“We commend the bravery of the two women to come forward and report these crimes so the police could investigate and bring this sexual offender to justice."