A builder who sexually assaulted a young woman on a packed underground train has been jailed for four months.

Andrius Rupsys, 28, of Croydon, left his 21-year-old victim terrified as he fondled her inner thigh and asked if he could kiss the pet cat in a box on her lap.

Southward Crown Court heard fellow passengers failed to step in and help the woman whose boyfriend was further down the packed Tube and could not hear her cries.

The Lithuanian was only stopped after his victim got off at Liverpool Street station.

Rupsys then groped a 55-year-old American woman.

He was arrested within minutes of both women complaining to station staff and police.

Rupsys admitted two counts of sexual assault on June 15 last year.

Passing sentence Judge Michael Gledhill QC said he subjected his first victim to a “frightening” ordeal “blatantly” carried out in full view of other passengers.

He said: “The nightmare for her is that she was quite helpless to distract you, let alone stop your unwanted sexual attentions.

“As if this matter were not serious enough, after that lady had left the carriage you turned your attention to a 55-year-old American lady as she, too, got up to get off, twice touching her buttocks.

“The sentence I am imposing is designed first to punish you for what you have done and secondly to send out a clear message from this court that those who sexually assault women on public transport should expect to receive custody,” he added.