Tommi Harwood, 18, has been jailed for five years for raping a girl at a busy train station in east London. The sentence was handed down after a five-day trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, where Harwood was found guilty of rape.
In addition to the prison term, Harwood received an indefinite restraining order and an eight-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Attack at Romford station
The attack took place on September 5, 2024, after Harwood, then 16, contacted the victim on Snapchat and identified himself as “Bobby”. The court heard that the victim, also 16, told Harwood she was on a train, and he suggested they meet at Romford station.
They met on the platform shortly after 8pm, where he led her into a waiting room and repeatedly asked her to check if anyone was in the women’s toilets. After a short while, she went to use the toilet, but Harwood followed and raped her.
Arrest and investigation
Upon returning to the platform, Harwood told the victim, “If we see police, run across the tracks”. The victim reported the attack to British Transport Police (BTP) detectives the following day.
Harwood was arrested at Basildon station on October 25 after being stopped by rail staff for travelling without a valid ticket.
Police comment
BTP Detective Constable Ross McAlpine said: “The young victim has shown tremendous courage, not only by speaking up and reporting what happened to her, but by supporting our enquiries and the court proceedings that followed.
“She has been supported throughout our investigation by specialist officers, and I hope the fact her attacker is now behind bars brings her some sense of justice.
“Harwood’s attack was premeditated and frankly abhorrent. Through his actions, he has shown that he poses a very real threat to women and girls.”
