Man who pulled woman’s hair becomes first sentenced under new sex harassment law

A man who grabbed a woman’s hair on a train and asked to kiss her has become the first person to be convicted under a new law against sexual harassment.

David Stroud, 44, told officers while under caution that his behaviour was ‘just banter’, adding: ‘We had banter together, do you know what I mean?’

He has now been sentenced to a 12-month community order.

The incident happened on a journey from Hastings to London on April 3 – just two days after the harassment law came into effect.

Highbury Magistrates’ Court heard Stroud was ‘constantly leaning on to the woman’, telling her ‘you’re magical’.

He was arrested upon arrival at London Bridge station.

Intentional harassment directed at someone because of their sex became an offence at the start of April under Section 4B of the Public Order Act 1986.

It includes the targeting of women and girls in public places, including streets, parks and public transport.

Jennifer McDowall, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS West Midlands, said: ‘What he initially dismissed as ‘banter’ was in fact criminal and he now has a conviction as a result.

‘This case sends a clear message that behaviour like this is not harmless and will not be tolerated.’

This Is Not Right

On November 25, 2024 Metro launched This Is Not Right, a campaign to address the relentless epidemic of violence against women.

With the help of our partners at Women’s Aid, This Is Not Right aims to shine a light on the sheer scale of this national emergency.

You can find more articles here, and if you want to share your story with us, you can send us an email at vaw@metro.co.uk.

Read more:

• Introducing This Is Not Right: Metro’s year-long violence against women campaign
• Remembering the women killed by men in 2024

CPS national stalking lead Olivia Rose said: ‘This landmark case under a new law tackling sex-based harassment signals an important step forward in protecting women and girls in public spaces.

‘Anyone can be a victim of this type of behaviour – but we know women and girls are disproportionately affected.

‘We will continue to play our part in stamping out violence against women and girls and to make sure everyone can feel safe going about their daily lives.’

In an interview following the sentencing, Stroud blamed alcohol for his behaviour and apologised to the woman he harassed.

Asked how he felt about his status as the first person convicted under the law, he said: ‘The law changes, it is what it is.

‘I was just unlucky that I was the first person at the time. The law can adapt, it doesn’t stay fixed.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.