An 18-year-old man from Essex has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown Court after being convicted of raping a 16-year-old girl inside the female toilets at Romford railway station.
Tommi Harwood, of Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, appeared for sentence on 9 October 2026 following an extensive inquiry by British Transport Police’s Major, Serious and Organised Crime unit.
The court was told that Harwood, aged 16 at the time of the offence, initiated contact with the victim on the social media application Snapchat, falsely introducing himself under the alias “Bobby”. On 5 September 2024, Harwood arranged a meeting with the girl on the platform at Romford station. After meeting her, he directed her into a waiting room before leading her into the women’s toilets, where he subjected her to a violent rape. Following the assault, Harwood instructed the girl to run if law enforcement arrived at the scene.
Investigators initially encountered difficulties identifying the suspect. On 25 October 2024, Harwood was stopped by revenue protection personnel at Basildon station for travelling on the railway network without a valid ticket, leading to his identification and detention. Specialist detectives compiled a prosecution file incorporating forensic evidence, extensive station CCTV tracking, and the victim’s account.
Harwood denied the indictment, requiring the victim to give evidence during a five-day trial. The jury unanimously rejected his account and returned a guilty verdict for rape.
Under the provisions of Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, all child victims and complainants connected to criminal proceedings are protected by automatic, lifelong statutory anonymity. Publishing, broadcasting, or disseminating any details, names, addresses, educational facilities, or photographs capable of leading to public identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Harwood was convicted of:
One count of rape
Passing sentence on 9 October 2026, the Crown Court judge handed Harwood an immediate custodial term of five years’ imprisonment.
Alongside the custodial sentence, the court ordered:
A Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) running for a duration of eight years
An indefinite restraining order prohibiting any direct or indirect contact with the victim
Mandatory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register under the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Formal post-custody licence supervision conditions upon release from prison
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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