As a load of us board trains to go home for the Bank Holiday weekend, pretty tired from the past couple of weeks at work, we might end up falling asleep. In spite of free wifi, all the books to read in the world or the strongest cup of coffee, there's always that tipping point where you do find yourself waking up having hit your head on a window, dribble spooling down the side of your mouth. And yeah, it's totally embarrassing, but there's also a sinister element to being that unaware of your surroundings, because some people will take advantage, big time. Not only do people get robbed when they fall asleep on trains, but people will be sexually assaulted. We don't want to have to warn you what to do, but please bear in mind this story.
Police are investigating after a woman was sexually assaulted as she slept on a train. They have released images of a man who they think might be able to help them with the investigation and they've asked the public to come forward if they have any information.
Detective Constable Andy Parkinson told AOL: 'The 25-year-old victim had been out for the evening in London with friends on Monday, 28 April. She boarded the train at Charing Cross and sat in one of the last two carriages but quickly fell asleep. She woke up, sometime between 12.25am and 12.50am, to find a man sexually assaulting her. The victim managed to push the man away and fled the train when it arrived at West Wickham station a few moments later.'
The incident happened on the 12.13am London Charing Cross to Hayes train on Tuesday 29th of April.
DC Parkinson also explained the importance of finding the man pictured in CCTV footage: 'We believe the man pictured boarded the train at Lewisham station and got off at West Wickham. I am eager to speak to him as I think he might have vital information. If you recognise him or think you may have witnessed the incident, please get in touch. We take all reports of sexual assault extremely seriously and are doing all we can to catch the individual responsible.'
As weird as it is that CCTV might follow our every movement, it's times like these we're totally grateful for its proliferation. If you have any information about this man, or were witness to this crime, please call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, quoting SSUB/B2 of 20/05/2014. You can also text in information to 61016, or call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
Follow Sophie on Twitter @sophwilkinson
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.