A TEENAGER who exposed himself and sexually assaulted women on the Central Line has avoided jail.

Malcolm Schwartz boarded the tube line and targeted women on four occasions between December 2017 and January 2018.

As well as pressing into victims while revealing himself, the nineteen year-old touched commuters at various stations along the Central Line during the morning commute.

Officers from British Transport Police’s Sexual Offences Unit traced Schwartz after his victims reported the incident and arrested the Kingsground, Eltham resident.

DC Thomas O’Regan from the Sexual Offences Unit said: “Schwartz’s behaviour was perverse. Over a two month period of time, he travelled on busy Central Line trains assaulting women for his own sexual gratification. His conduct was outrageous and I am pleased we were able to catch him.

“This complex case demonstrates the true value in reporting unwanted sexual behaviour to police. The victims each provided us with clear accounts of what happened, enabling us to clearly identify Schwartz as the perpetrator. Reports such as theirs help us catch offenders, and ensure that justice is delivered.

The first offence took place between Mile End and Bethnal Green at roughly 8.30am on December 14.

Schwartz approached a 26 year-old woman, exposed himself and pressed up against her.

On January 8 he returned to the Central Line, targeting two different women aged 23 and 28 years-old between Liverpool Street, St Paul’s and Bank.

During each assault he touched the victims and pressed into them.

The forth and final assault occurred at Bethnal Green station where Schwartz stood behind a woman and touched her inappropriately.

When police caught up with Schwartz he admitted the charges in interview before pleading guilty to four counts of sexual assault at Blackfriars Crown Court.

On March 12 he was sentenced to 62 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, and handed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order preventing him from travelling on the Underground and DLR, and sitting next to unknown women.

He also must sign the sex offenders register for ten years.

Siwan Hayward, Transport for London’s Head of Transport Policing, said: “The actions of Schwartz were demeaning, unacceptable and intimidating.

“We do not tolerate unwanted sexual behaviour on London’s public transport network and I commend all those who came forward to report what they saw. Every report matters and it helped police build a picture so they could catch Schwartz and sentence him for his offensive, disgusting crimes.

“I want everyone to know that London's public transport is safe and sexual offending has no place on our network. Offenders will be identified and will be brought to justice.”