Train driver from High Wycombe who took upskirting photo as woman slept sentenced

Paolo Barone took photos of the woman sleeping before taking upskirting photos

A train driver who took photos up a woman's skirt as she slept on a train has been sentenced.

Paolo Barone, 51, was travelling home from his shift as a Thameslink driver when he took photos of a sleeping woman throughout the 45-minute journey from Blackfriars to St Albans in 2022.

Barone, who was in uniform, took more photos directed up the woman's skirt before leaving the train.

He was given a three-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Three phones and a computer were seized from his home when he was arrested and one phone had five images of the woman, British Transport Police said.

Barone, of Brackley Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, was found guilty of voyeurism and sentenced at St Albans Crown Court.

He must also complete a 55-hour rehabilitation activity requirement and sign the sex offenders register for seven years.

'Vile and disgusting violation'

Det Con Daryl Keogh, said: "Wearing his work uniform meant Barone was in a position of trust when he committed this vile and disgusting violation.

"Seeing the woman was sleeping and vulnerable he took the opportunity, not to watch out for her, but to commit this hideous act.

"The woman was horrified when she learned what had happened as she slept.

"We will stop at nothing to deter, pursue, arrest and bring sex offenders on the railway network to justice."

Jean Cockerill, the people director for Govia Thameslink Railway, said: "We were shocked and appalled to learn about this incident.

"As soon as we were made aware, we followed our internal procedures, which included suspending the individual as soon as he was identified.

"We hold our colleagues to the highest standards of conduct and this type of behaviour will never be tolerated.

"We thank the person for their courage in coming forward and reporting this crime, and we encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses this type of behaviour on the railway to report it to the British Transport Police."

Govia Thameslink Railway said Barone was dismissed from his role in January 2023.