Serial Train Offender Re-Arrested 12 Days After Prison Release
A man with a history of sexual offences on trains has been returned to custody after being apprehended merely twelve days following his release from prison. James Gathercole, aged 40, was arrested in July last year after exposing himself to a woman on a London to East Grinstead train service.
Details of the Latest Incident
The incident occurred when a female passenger entered the carriage and noticed Gathercole staring at her from a nearby seat. After the carriage emptied at East Croydon station, he fully exposed himself and began masturbating while looking directly at the lone woman.
The shocked victim disembarked at Upper Warlingham station where she immediately reported the incident to railway staff. Staff promptly contacted British Transport Police, who boarded the train at East Grinstead and found Gathercole asleep on board.
History of Offences and Court Orders
Gathercole had previously been imprisoned in July 2024 for two separate incidents that occurred on the same day in May 2024, both involving exposure and masturbation on trains in London. Following those convictions, he was issued with a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
This court order specifically prohibited him from making any form of contact with a lone woman and banned him from using public transport without a valid payment method. Additionally, he was subject to license conditions following his prison release.
Multiple Breaches and Court Proceedings
Police checks revealed that Gathercole was in breach of both his SHPO and his prison release license conditions at the time of his July 2025 arrest. He had been released from prison just twelve days earlier on July 9, 2025.
Last Monday, February 2, 2026, Gathercole pleaded guilty to two counts of exposure, as well as breaching his SHPO and the conditions of his prison release license. The second exposure count related to a separate incident on a train in South London dating back to June 4, 2024.
Sentencing and Police Response
At Lewes Crown Court, Gathercole was sentenced to two years and four months in prison. Detective Constable Jean-Pierre Choolhun of British Transport Police commented on the case, stating: "It is entirely right that, following our investigation, James Gathercole is now back in custody. There is absolutely no place for this sickening behaviour in our society."
The detective constable emphasized: "We take all reports of sexual offending extremely seriously, and this case demonstrates that commitment. Our officers acted immediately, intercepting the train and arresting Gathercole shortly after the report was made."
This case highlights the ongoing challenges authorities face with repeat offenders on public transport systems and the importance of court orders in protecting the public from predatory behavior.
