Man found guilty of raping girl in train toilets

Daniel Russell first came to the attention of police in January 2021 when he was arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images

A man has been found guilty of raping a girl in train toilets.

Daniel Russell, 38, was convicted at Norwich Crown Court of three counts of raping a child under the age of 13, of causing a child to watch a sexual act and of making indecent images of children.

Russell, of Tolhouse Street, Great Yarmouth, came to the attention of Norfolk Police in January 2021 when he was arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images.

He is due back at Norwich Crown Court for sentencing on 24 January 2025.

Russell was convicted by a jury after an eight-day trial.

Norfolk Police said the images he was arrested for possessing in 2021 were not of the victim in this case.

However, while the investigation was ongoing officers became aware of the abuse of a young child and Russell was charged with rape.

The court heard how on train journeys between 2016 and 2021, Russell would take the victim into the toilets and show her pornography before assaulting her.

Daniel Russell is due to appear at Norwich Crown Court for sentencing in January 2025

Det Sgt Mark Carrier of Norfolk Constabulary's Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: "We will always work tirelessly to support victims of sexual abuse.

"The victim in this case is one of the most vulnerable in society and had to endure things a child should never have to go through.

"I hope she can rebuild her life and move forward knowing she is now safe from Russell."

Det Con Garry Hoadley of Norfolk Constabulary's Online Team led the investigation into the indecent images on Russell's device.

"This type of offending is not victimless," he said.

"Each image represents a child who has been exploited and harmed in ways that will impact them for a lifetime.

"This conviction serves as a reminder that the exploitation of children, in any manner, will not be tolerated in our community."