A 39-year-old man has been jailed for more than eight years after he repeatedly sexually assaulted a woman as she tried to make her way home.

Following a British Transport Police investigation, Claudiu Rizea, of Stanley Road, Harrow, pleaded guilty to exposure and sexual assault.

He was jailed for eight years and three months at Kingston Crown Court on Friday 28 June.

He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228.

The court heard how, in the early hours of Friday 8 September last year Rizea first approached an 18-year-old woman outside Euston station and offered her a cigarette. He then followed the woman to Westminster before approaching her again and attempting to hug and kiss her before exposing himself to her when she reached Baker Street Underground station.

She moved away only for Rizea to then drag her out of the station and sexually assault her.

She managed to escape and make her way back into the station only to be repeatedly approached by Rizea who grabbed her arms and hair and again tried to drag her away.

She managed to get to safety by locking herself in a cubicle at the station toilets. When Rizea attempted to enter he was prevented by a member of rail staff.

As she made her way back to the platform she saw Rizea walking towards her and alerted station staff who called police and arrested Rizea.

Investigating officer DC Gemma Lee said: "This was a terrifying and sustained attack on a young woman who has been left deeply traumatised by the incident.

"Despite her repeated attempts to flee, Rizea remained undeterred and determined to carry out his hideous and sustained sexual attack and subject her to further distress by following her across the city.

"Rizea is a dangerous sexual predator, who, thanks to the bravery of this young woman, is now behind bars where he belongs."