Train Predator Convicted of Attempted Rape of 13-Year-Old Girl

A 50-year-old Tajikistan national has been convicted of six sexual offences, including attempted rape, following a trial at Inner London Crown Court concerning a prolonged attack on a child aboard a train.

Abdulmanon Aliev, of Rye Lane, South London, was found guilty on 9 April of one count of attempted rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and three counts of sexual assault.

The jury returned the verdicts following a week-long trial that detailed an incident occurring on a rail service travelling between Southend and London on 16 June 2025.

Aliev has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced at the same court on 17 June.

The court heard that the victim, a 13-year-old girl, was travelling on the afternoon service when Aliev approached her and sat in the opposite seat.

Evidence presented to the jury indicated that Aliev initially attempted to engage the victim in conversation by using a translator application on his mobile telephone.

When the girl moved to a different seat to distance herself from him, Aliev followed her and occupied an aisle seat, effectively blocking her exit from the window seat.

The defendant then subjected the victim to a sustained sexual assault which continued until the train arrived at London Fenchurch Street station, at which point the victim was able to alight.

The girl subsequently boarded another train heading out of London and reported the incident to members of the public who observed her in a distressed state.

The British Transport Police (BTP) were notified and an investigation was launched by detectives from the **Major, Serious and Organised Crime** team.

Investigators conducted an extensive review of CCTV footage, tracing Aliev’s movements both before and after the attack took place on the rail network.

Following a ten-day manhunt, Aliev was identified and apprehended on 27 June by plainclothes officers in Peckham, South London.

A subsequent search of his home address led to the recovery of clothing matching the items worn by the suspect on the day of the offences.

A file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charges the day after his arrest.

Detective Constable Elizabeth Cahill, of the British Transport Police, stated that Aliev had singled out a vulnerable child for a significant sexual assault.

"This verdict would not have been possible without her account of what happened and her willingness to support our investigation," Detective Constable Cahill said.

The officer added that the force takes every report of a sexual offence seriously and remains committed to securing a **criminal conviction** against those who target passengers on the transport network.