A Transport for London worker has been jailed for 12 months after sexually assaulting a female coach driver.

Damian Fichardo, 43, of Erith, forced himself onto the victim after luring her into the basement toilets at Victoria Coach Station where he groped her and tried to force his hands into her underwear.

During the seven minute struggle on September 24 he told her he was the “Devil’s child” before letting her go.

On the day of the assault, she had greeted him with a peck on the cheek and told him she was going to have a cup of coffee for an hour to pass the time before her next journey was due to start.

When he said "follow me" and led her down underneath the station, she believed he was taking her to some kind of staff room or staff canteen.

She became increasingly concerned when Fichardo pretended he was showing her the way to the toilets when they passed one of his colleagues.

Fichardo denied sexual assault but was convicted at Southwark Crown Court.

Judge Michael Gledhill QC said: "The consequences of this assault on the victim have been terrible - even before the incident she was a pretty vulnerable woman.

"The effect it had on her was all too obvious to anyone who had the misfortune to witness [her evidence].

"She continues to suffer panic attacks and is overwhelmed by anxiety."

He added: "Your life, that of your wife and children may well have been seriously affected as a result of this incident and your conviction, but the victim is not responsible for that, you are."