[galaktiusman]

Man detained for sexual assault on train Sun, May 30, 2010
The China Post/Asia News Network


TAIWAN - A man was taken into custody for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage student on a Taiwan Railways train on Wednesday, local media reported yesterday. Police arrested the suspect, Su Chang-hsien, 22, for sexual assault charges carrying penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment, reported Apple Daily. Su spotted the senior high school sitting alone in one of the carriages on a train departing at 5:17 a.m. from Pingtung Station, and pulled her into a washroom to sexually assault her, police said.

The case raised concern about safety on TRA trains. The Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) ordered train conductors to strengthen patrolling of early and late trains, said TRA Director-General Frank Fan. He said the railway police must assist in patrolling when necessary and advised female passengers to sit in the first carriage when taking early or late trains. According to Fan, emergency alarms will be installed in new trains. Police said Su has no criminal records and seems to have acted on impulse, but kept silent when asked if he regretted it, police said.

His mother apologized to the victim's family. "I hope her family can forgive us. I am a failed mother," she said. The suspect, a worker from Pingtung County, got a on southbound Fuhsing Express at Pingtung Station, according to police. He had spent the night playing games at an Internet cafe in Pingtung City after a fight with his newly wedded wife. After the assault, the student got off the train at Fangliao Station and ran to her school for help. A teacher took the student to a police station to report the incident. Police arrested Su at Fangliao Station, where the suspect was waiting for a northbound train.