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

| Senior science and technology reporter Published November 9, 2026 7:56pm Updated November 9, 2026 7:58pm To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 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 News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens. Police arrested Tavares at Ashford International station and took him to a hospital for a medical assessment. Jose Tavares stripped completely naked on a train (Picture: BTS/SWNS) A railway worker discovered Tavares ‘gratifying’ himself (Picture: BTS/SWNS) 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. He initially ‘feigned ignorance’ (Picture: BTP/SWNS) During his arrest, Tavares told officers he was not carrying anything sharp (Picture: BTS/SWNS) 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.’ Arrow MORE: Two people seriously injured after 30-vehicle crash on the M20 Arrow MORE: What I Own: We bought our home at 25 through a little-known discount scheme Arrow MORE: Tributes flood in for ‘happy’ Postman hit and killed while walking home for dinner News Updates Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.