ANDREW DOBSON SHOCKS ST NEOTS AND CAMBRIDGESHIRE WITH TRAIN DELAY AND PUBLIC INDECENCY INCIDENT

In a disturbing incident that unfolded on a train traveling through Cambridgeshire, Andrew Dobson, aged 34 and residing on Avenue Road in St Neots, was involved in a series of alarming behaviors that not only caused significant disruption but also raised serious concerns about public safety and personal conduct.

On January 7 of this year, Dobson was traveling on a cross-country train from Cambridge to Ely around 3:30 pm. During the journey, he was observed engaging in inappropriate behavior inside the toilet cubicle of the train. Witnesses reported that Dobson was standing with the door open, which was an unusual and concerning sight for other passengers. It was later revealed that Dobson was subject to a sexual harm prevention order, a legal restriction imposed after he committed a serious sexual offense against a girl under the age of 13 in 2012.

The incident escalated when Dobson approached a woman sitting nearby and initiated a conversation, asking if she was married and expressing a desire to have sex with her, claiming she had a “very sexy smile.” The woman, who was understandably uncomfortable, rebuffed his advances. Undeterred, Dobson re-entered the toilet cubicle, remained there for approximately two minutes, and then re-emerged to approach the woman again. This time, he sat opposite her, removed his trousers, and exposed his erect penis and testicles, an act that caused the woman to shout and demand he leave her alone. She also threatened to call the police, which appeared to prompt Dobson to move to another carriage in an apparent attempt to avoid further confrontation.

Once the train arrived at Ely Station, the woman reported the incident to the train driver. The driver then searched for Dobson, who was eventually located by both the driver and the woman. Dobson apologized for his actions but, upon realizing that police had been called, he attempted to escape by walking onto the railway tracks. He approached a standing freight train and engaged in a conversation with its driver, stating, “All I want to do is get out of here.”

Authorities responded swiftly, and Dobson was arrested on suspicion of exposure and trespassing on the railway. The incident caused a significant delay, with Network Rail calculating that Dobson's actions resulted in a delay of approximately 152 minutes, affecting 26 trains and incurring a total cost of £12,204.

During the court proceedings, it was noted that the woman involved had previously described herself as a woman of “some fortitude,” indicating her resilience despite the distress caused by Dobson’s behavior. The judge, Judge Bridge, took her attitude into account when sentencing. Recognizing the seriousness of Dobson’s actions but also considering his need for rehabilitation, the court imposed a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. Additionally, Dobson was ordered to participate in a 12-month drugs rehabilitation program and to complete 80 hours of unpaid community work within the same period.

The court also determined that awarding compensation to the rail company was not feasible due to Dobson’s financial situation, as he was approximately £7,000 in debt. Overall, the case highlights the disturbing nature of the incident and the importance of addressing both public safety and offender rehabilitation in such cases.