PAUL TOAL FROM ILFORD SENTENCED FOR REPEATED SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON TEENAGE GIRL ON LONDON UNDERGROUND

In a disturbing series of events that unfolded on the London Underground, Paul Toal, a 59-year-old man from Devonport Gardens, Ilford, has been convicted and sentenced for a pattern of sexual assaults targeting a teenage girl over the course of a month. The incidents took place during her daily commutes to school, causing significant distress and fear for the young victim.

According to court reports, the assaults began early in the morning on February 9 of the previous year. The victim was traveling westbound on a Central line train at Redbridge station when Toal, who was standing close to her, indecently touched her. The assault was not an isolated incident, as Toal continued to target her repeatedly during her daily journeys. The girl confided in her friends about the inappropriate contact, and her story was overheard by a teacher, who advised her to report the matter to authorities.

Following her report, plainclothes officers from the British Transport Police (BTP) accompanied the girl on her subsequent train journeys. During one of these trips, Toal was caught in the act once again, indecently touching the girl. This led to his immediate arrest. The victim later disclosed to officers that Toal had assaulted her every day for an entire month, but her fear prevented her from coming forward sooner.

The court proceedings revealed that Toal’s criminal behavior was not limited to this incident alone. It was also established that he had previously committed sexual offenses, including two counts related to an assault on a 26-year-old woman in 2011. This assault occurred between November 21 and 25, 2011, on a Victoria line train at Oxford Circus, where Toal again indecently touched the woman. Initially, she believed the contact was accidental and did not report it at the time.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court, Toal was convicted of four counts of sexual assault, including the recent incidents involving the teenage girl. The court sentenced him to two years in prison, a sexual offences prevention order, and placed him on the sex offenders register for a period of ten years. The judge emphasized the seriousness of his actions and the impact on the victims.

Detective Constable Claire Sheals commented on the case, praising the bravery of the victims for providing detailed accounts and for their courage in giving evidence in court. She also reaffirmed the police’s commitment to tackling sexual offenses, stating, “Toal was a prolific offender and is now in jail for his disgusting behaviour. We take sexual assaults very seriously and do everything we can to identify and arrest those responsible.”