Serial London Underground Flasher Jailed for Eight Months After Targeting Women on Bakerloo Line
A serial sex offender who repeatedly exposed himself and masturbated in front of lone women on the London Underground has been sentenced to eight months in prison. Matheus Prestes, 30, pleaded guilty to eight counts of exposure at a court hearing in November, with his sentencing taking place at Inner London Crown Court on February 13.
'I Felt Like Doing It': Flasher's Sick Motivation Revealed
Prestes admitted to police that he committed the offences because he "felt like doing it", describing how the adrenaline rush motivated his predatory behavior. He specifically targeted women travelling alone on Bakerloo line trains, exposing his genitalia and, on some occasions, masturbating in front of them.
British Transport Police Sergeant James Ashby stated: "Prestes repeatedly targeted women on the London Underground in deliberate and predatory acts. His behavior was disturbing, persistent, and entirely unacceptable. It is down to these brave women reporting these incidents that we were able to piece together his spree of offending and put him behind bars."
Chronology of Disturbing Incidents on the Tube
The series of attacks began on June 21 last year at approximately 7pm, when Prestes stepped off a Bakerloo line train at Baker Street, stood on the platform, and exposed himself while staring at a woman seated on board. This marked his first reported attack.
Further incidents followed in quick succession:
- On June 25, he exposed himself and began masturbating in front of another woman on a southbound Bakerloo line service. When she threatened to report him, he quickly disembarked at Edgware Road.
- On July 6 around 6pm, he targeted another lone woman near Kenton, exposing himself on the train before getting off, standing on the platform, and masturbating while staring at her.
- On August 5, he walked along a Tube carriage and exposed himself to a woman near Lambeth North.
- On August 22, another woman reported that Prestes had exposed himself to her between Oxford Circus and Waterloo, masturbating in her eyeline before leaving the train.
Three Attacks in One Day Culminate in Arrest
The offending escalated on October 11, when Prestes targeted three women in a single day, again on Bakerloo line trains. On each occasion, he exposed himself to a lone woman and immediately exited the train. British Transport Police officers identified Prestes as the perpetrator and subsequently arrested him.
Sergeant Ashby emphasized: "This sentence reflects the seriousness of his actions. Passengers can be reassured that we will always take reports of sexual offences seriously, act quickly to identify offenders, and work tirelessly to bring them before the courts."
Reporting Sexual Offences on Public Transport
Anyone who experiences or witnesses a sexual offence on a train or at a station is urged to report it by texting 61016. In an emergency, always call 999. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and prompt reporting to combat such crimes on London's transport network.
