Siljan Lacaj, 33, of Palace Road, Haringey, has been jailed for 12 months at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court after being found guilty of sexual assault following an investigation by British Transport Police. The court also imposed a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, preventing Lacaj from speaking to, approaching or touching women he does not know, and from sitting next to or near them. He has also been placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.
Followed victim onto train
The court heard how on Monday 3 November 2025 just before 9.30pm Lacaj was at Leicester Square Underground station when he noticed a young woman sat on a bench by herself at the end of the platform. Lacaj approached and sat next to her, asking her persistent personal questions. He then followed her onto a Piccadilly Line train and sat next to her again.
He then sexually assaulted her, which was noticed by two other people on the train. The two witnesses asked the victim if she knew the man, to which she shook her head. Other passengers began to shout at Lacaj and demanded he moved, to which he became aggressive. The other passengers then moved the victim away, and a fight broke out between Lacaj and other passengers on the train.
Off-duty cop steps in
An off-duty Metropolitan Police officer who was on the train intervened and arrested Lacaj on suspicion of Sexual Assault, at which point Lacaj claimed that he was just trying to help the girl get home. In interview, Lacaj showed no remorse for his intimidating and disgraceful actions, refusing to answer any of the questions put to him.
'No place for conduct like this'
BTP Detective Constable Dominika Rogers said: "Lacaj's behaviour was appalling. He deliberately subjected a young woman, who was travelling alone, to a prolonged assault for his own gratification."
"There is simply no place for conduct like this on the railway network, and I am pleased that he has been held accountable for his actions."
"I would like to pay tribute to the victim for the courage and resilience she showed in coming forward and reporting what happened. I cannot praise the two women on the train enough for noticing what was happening and stepping in to support and protect her."
"Their actions undoubtedly made a difference and demonstrate the importance of looking out for one another when someone is in need of help."
"If you've been the victim of sexual offending on the railway network or have witnessed an incident, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016 so that we can secure the justice you deserve."
