Predator repeatedly sexually assaulted sleeping woman on Manchester to Peterborough train — now his face is on CCTV

Published 14 October 2026, 11:51

• British Transport Police detectives released images of a man wanted over the 11.45am attack on Friday 11 September
• The terrified victim woke mid-assault, pushed the man off and fled to another carriage
• He slipped away at Peterborough station — anyone who recognises him should text 61016, quoting reference 552 of 13 September

Detectives have released CCTV images of a man they want to trace after a woman was repeatedly sexually assaulted while she slept on a train travelling from Manchester Piccadilly to Peterborough.

The attack happened at around 11.45am on Friday 11 September.

The woman had fallen asleep on board the service when the man began repeatedly sexually assaulting her.

She woke up during the assault, pushed the man away from her, and relocated to a different section of the train to escape him.

The man then got off the service when it reached its final stop at Peterborough station in Cambridgeshire, disappearing before he could be identified.

Detectives at British Transport Police, the force responsible for policing crime on Britain's rail network, are leading the investigation into the offence, which was committed on a moving train.

Investigators now want to speak to the man pictured in the CCTV images, as they believe he may have information that could help the investigation.

The appeal spans both Greater Manchester and Cambridgeshire, reflecting the route of the train service on which the attack took place.

The journey began at Manchester Piccadilly, one of the busiest stations in the north of England, and ended at Peterborough, where the man left the train.

Anyone who recognises the man in the images is urged to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40.

Witnesses coming forward are asked to quote reference 552 of 13 September.

Members of the public who do not wish to give their names can pass information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The CCTV appeal was issued publicly after the 11 September attack, with the images released in the hope that someone will recognise the man and come forward.

The release of the images marks the latest step in the investigation, which has so far established the time of the assault, the route of the train and the point at which the suspect left the service.

The victim's actions in pushing the man off and moving to a different carriage brought the assault to an end before the train reached Peterborough.