Man who stripped naked on train to ‘gratify himself’ found by rail worker

A repeat sex offender stripped completely naked to ‘sexually gratify himself’ on a train in Kent.

Jose Tavares, 50, was found by a railway worker taking his clothing off in the middle of one of the train’s empty coaches on October 26.

Body-camera footage showed the employee asking Tavares to ‘put your clothes on’ as he stood naked in the aisle.

‘What are you doing?’ he added.

But Tavares refused and continued to be lewd for a few minutes before leaving the train.

Sign up for all of the latest stories

Start your day informed with Metro's newsletter or get alerts the moment it happens.

Police arrested Tavares at Ashford International station and took him to a hospital for a medical assessment.

Custody image of Jose Tavares. // This is the moment a man who had stripped completely naked on a train was confronted by a shocked worker - who exclaimed: "What are you doing?!". Jose Tavares was arrested last month after British Transport Police (BTP) received reports he had taken off his clothes and was sexually gratifying himself on a service in Kent. Officers were called to Ashford International station on October 26 after the 50-year was found by a railway worker, Folkestone Magistrates' Court heard. BTP said no one else was in the carriage at the time but, despite being challenged by the staff member, Tavares continued the lewd behaviour for a few minutes before leaving the train. Release date: November 9 2026
Body worn footage shows Jose Tavares naked on a train service in Kent. // This is the moment a man who had stripped completely naked on a train was confronted by a shocked worker - who exclaimed: "What are you doing?!". Jose Tavares was arrested last month after British Transport Police (BTP) received reports he had taken off his clothes and was sexually gratifying himself on a service in Kent. Officers were called to Ashford International station on October 26 after the 50-year was found by a railway worker, Folkestone Magistrates' Court heard. BTP said no one else was in the carriage at the time but, despite being challenged by the staff member, Tavares continued the lewd behaviour for a few minutes before leaving the train. Release date: November 9 2026

Further footage shows officers telling Tavares that he was under arrest.

‘There was basically a report saying that you were on a train and you were naked,’ a police officer said.

Tavares tried to ‘feign ignorance’ about being rude on the train, only to ‘let slip’ while being arrested, police said.

He spat on an officer as they tried to transfer him to the station.

Tavares pleaded guilty to exposure, assaulting an emergency worker and breaching requirements given to him for a previous sexual offence.

Folkestone Magistrates’ Court sentenced him to one year and two weeks in jail on October 28.

Body worn footage shows Jose Tavares during arrest. // This is the moment a man who had stripped completely naked on a train was confronted by a shocked worker - who exclaimed: "What are you doing?!". Jose Tavares was arrested last month after British Transport Police (BTP) received reports he had taken off his clothes and was sexually gratifying himself on a service in Kent. Officers were called to Ashford International station on October 26 after the 50-year was found by a railway worker, Folkestone Magistrates' Court heard. BTP said no one else was in the carriage at the time but, despite being challenged by the staff member, Tavares continued the lewd behaviour for a few minutes before leaving the train. Release date: November 9 2026
Body worn footage shows Jose Tavares during arrest. // This is the moment a man who had stripped completely naked on a train was confronted by a shocked worker - who exclaimed: "What are you doing?!". Jose Tavares was arrested last month after British Transport Police (BTP) received reports he had taken off his clothes and was sexually gratifying himself on a service in Kent. Officers were called to Ashford International station on October 26 after the 50-year was found by a railway worker, Folkestone Magistrates' Court heard. BTP said no one else was in the carriage at the time but, despite being challenged by the staff member, Tavares continued the lewd behaviour for a few minutes before leaving the train. Release date: November 9 2026

Tavares, of no fixed address, was also given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which restricts what offenders can do.

He must also sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.

British Transport Police DC Andrew Devereese praised the railway worker who stumbled on Tavares fully naked.

His body-worn camera, which he switched on when he discovered Tavares, provided crucial evidence of Tavares’ disturbing actions, and it also spared other passengers from seeing Tavares exposed as well,’ he said.

‘He also reported what he had seen immediately, allowing us to attend quickly to arrest the suspect. 

‘Tavares tried to feign ignorance about his involvement in the incident but significantly let slip to arresting officers that he was in the carriage with the rail worker.’

MORE: Two people seriously injured after 30-vehicle crash on the M20

MORE: What I Own: We bought our home at 25 through a little-known discount scheme

MORE: Tributes flood in for ‘happy’ Postman hit and killed while walking home for dinner

Original source Man who stripped naked on train to ‘gratify himself’ found by rail worker

Back to home