JEFFERY KHAN FROM BLACKHALL COLLIERY BANNED FOR LIFE AFTER TARGETING FEMALE BUS PASSENGERS IN COUNTY DURHAM

In March 2020, a disturbing pattern of sexual harassment involving Jeffery Khan, a resident of Coronation Avenue, Blackhall Colliery, came to light, highlighting a series of troubling incidents targeting lone female passengers on public transportation in County Durham. Khan, aged 49, was identified as a serial offender whose inappropriate conduct on buses had caused significant distress among victims and prompted legal action.

County Durham's judicial authorities responded decisively by imposing a lifetime ban on Khan from all bus services within the county. This order also explicitly prohibits him from engaging in any sexual language or behavior in any public setting or on any form of public transport. The measures were enacted following a court hearing where a judge sentenced Khan to an extended determinate prison term, reflecting the seriousness of his offenses.

Specifically, Khan was sentenced to two years in prison, with an additional five-year period of license supervision upon his release. The extended sentence mandates that he must serve at least 16 months before being eligible for parole. The court's decision was based on Khan’s admission to multiple charges, including two counts of sexual assault, breaching a sexual harm prevention order, sexual activity with a minor, common assault, and harassment.

Most of these offenses occurred on buses, where Khan would approach female passengers, attempt to sit beside them, and make sexually suggestive remarks. In some instances, he physically touched the victims inappropriately. One particularly distressing incident involved a 14-year-old girl, who recounted that Khan had made inappropriate comments to her just four days prior to his arrest.

Prosecutor Paul Newcombe detailed that Khan was often seen drinking cans of lager during these encounters. Despite being instructed by bus drivers to dispose of his drink, he continued his disruptive behavior. On one occasion, after being reprimanded, Khan retaliated by pouring his lager over the head of a woman he had harassed before disembarking from the bus.

Passengers on the buses reported feeling uncomfortable and intimidated by Khan’s actions. Many attempted to distance themselves by changing seats, with some choosing to sit near the driver until reaching their stops. One victim, who felt particularly disgusted by his conduct, opted to pay for a taxi home to avoid further contact. Another victim arranged for her sister to pick her up from work to escape the risk of encountering Khan on her usual bus route.

The case took a further turn when Khan was arrested in June after he groped a female shopper inside a Morrison’s supermarket in Hartlepool. It was revealed that a previous restraining order had been issued against him in October 2017 by Newcastle Crown Court, which was set for five years due to similar offending behavior.

During the court proceedings, defense lawyer Richard Herrmann acknowledged the unpleasant nature of Khan’s actions but argued that the severity of his sexual offenses was relatively low. Nonetheless, after reviewing probation and psychiatric reports, Judge Jonathan Carroll determined that a stringent and lifelong restriction was necessary. Consequently, he imposed the extended prison sentence along with the lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order, aiming to prevent any future incidents and protect the public from Khan’s harmful behavior.