A "predatory" man who sexually assaulted a young woman on a bus in Hounslow has been jailed for six months.

Govinder Guru's victim had to push him off after he sat next to her on a number 111 bus and started touching her, police said.

The 56-year-old, of Cranford Lane, Hounslow, admitted sexual assault and was sentenced at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on June 15 to six months' imprisonment.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for seven years.

'Guru acted in a wholly predatory manner'

Detective Superintendent Adnan Qureshi, of the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: "This was an excellent result, which has seen a perpetrator of a disgusting, sexually motivated offence receive time in jail and entry onto the sex offenders register.

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"Guru acted in a wholly predatory manner and took advantage of a passenger, but his vile actions have led to his confinement and on his release he will be under police scrutiny."

Tracked down using CCTV footage

Police said Guru was already on the bus when the 20-year-old woman boarded it on Saturday January 30, at about 11pm.

He started talking to her before sitting next to her and touching her.

She pushed him away and alerted the bus driver, at which point he hastily disembarked.

Guru was identified using footage from CCTV cameras aboard the bus. He was arrested on February 19 and pleaded guilty the following month to sexual assault.

The investigation was carried out by the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command, which works in partnership with Transport for London (TfL).

'Sentencing of vile perpetrator sends clear message'

Steve Burton, TfL's director of enforcement and on-street operations, said: "The sentencing of this vile perpetrator sends a clear message that we will not tolerate any form of sexual behaviour on our bus network and will push for the strongest penalty for those caught.

"We take all reports of unwanted sexual behaviour seriously and encourage anyone who experiences anything that makes them feel uncomfortable to report it to the police.

"Our customers have the right to travel in safety and we are determined to ensure the transport network remains a safe environment for all."

getwestlondon reported earlier this year how complaints about sexual abuse across the capital's transport network had risen significantly during 2015.