A man who harrassed a fellow train passenger by repeatedly attempting to chat her up has been jailed for 18 months.

Frank Olalaye, 35, breached the terms of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order by intimidating the woman after boarding the train at East Croydon station in February.

Olalaye kept staring at the 44-year-old on the platform and sat opposite her when they boarded the train, despite plenty of free seats being available nearby.

The woman told him to leave her alone after he attempted to strike up a conversation, and continued to follow her as she moved through the train to avoid him.

He approached her again as she sat on a bench at Three Bridges station, but was told to “back off” as she used her mobile to tell her husband what was happening.

Olalaye hid from the sight of the platform office after the woman attracted the attention of staff, but was arrested at the station shortly afterwards.

Detective Constable Rob Cager of British Transport Police said: “This was a frightening and intimidating experience for the victim.

“Everyone has the right to go about their business on the railway without fear of harassment and we welcome the prison sentence handed to Olalaye.”

Olalaye was jailed for 18 months at Lewes Croydon Court on August 5 after admitting breaching his order.

The SOPO, which remains in place, prohibits him from approaching lone women unless they are relatives or have been approved in writing by a police officer.