Man Found Guilty of Prolonged Sexual Assault on 13-Year-Old Girl During Train Journey to London
A 50-year-old man has been convicted for carrying out a prolonged and abhorrent sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl during a train journey into London, in a case that has highlighted the ongoing issue of violence against women and children on public transport.
Details of the Attack
Abdulmanon Aliev, a Tajikistan national residing on Rye Lane in Peckham, south London, targeted the young victim on June 16 last year. The assault occurred on a train traveling from Southend to London Fenchurch Street station. Aliev initially sat opposite the girl on the London-bound train and attempted to communicate with her using a translator app on her phone.
When the victim moved to another seat to avoid him, Aliev followed and sat next to her in the aisle seat, effectively trapping her against the window. He then subjected her to a prolonged sexual assault that continued until the train arrived at its destination.
Escape and Investigation
Upon arrival at London Fenchurch Street station, the girl managed to escape from her attacker and board another train while Aliev remained at the station. Other passengers discovered her in a distressed state, and she bravely recounted what had happened before police were alerted.
Detectives from British Transport Police conducted an extensive investigation, reviewing hours of CCTV footage to track Aliev's movements. A manhunt ensued, culminating in plainclothes officers spotting and apprehending him in Peckham. Forensic teams later recovered the clothing he wore during the attack during a search of his home.
Court Proceedings and Verdict
Aliev appeared at Inner London Crown Court, where he was found guilty of multiple serious offenses, including two counts of assault by penetration, three counts of sexual assault, and attempted rape. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17, 2026.
Detective Constable Elizabeth Cahill of British Transport Police commented on the case, stating: "Aliev singled out a vulnerable child and subjected her to one of the most abhorrent sexual assaults I've ever investigated. While the focus of attention will rightly be on him as the despicable sexual predator that he is, I want to pay tribute to the brave victim who reported him to police. This verdict would not have been possible without her account of what happened and her willingness to support our investigation."
Broader Context
This case emerges against the backdrop of ongoing efforts to address violence against women. In November 2024, Metro launched the "This Is Not Right" campaign in partnership with Women's Aid, aiming to highlight the scale of this national emergency. The campaign encourages victims to share their stories and seeks to raise awareness about the prevalence of such crimes.
Detective Constable Cahill emphasized the police's commitment to tackling sexual offenses, stating: "We take every sexual offence report extremely seriously, and we'll stop at nothing to put offenders like Aliev before the courts."
The conviction serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance on public transport and the critical role that victim testimony plays in securing justice in such harrowing cases.
