'I was sexually assaulted on a Metrolink tram'

A woman who claims she was sexually assaulted on a tram says she no longer feels safe using the Metrolink service. The woman, in her 30s, claims she was riding the Ashton-under-Lyne line when the incident happened at around 5.40pm on Monday, April 25.

She says she was on her way home from work when she noticed an intoxicated man standing nearby, who then came and sat beside her and asked for a ‘fist bump’. When she said no, he punched her in the arm, she claims.

The woman claims the man then stood up and staggered towards the end of the “packed” tram before returning to sit next to her again, before touching her breast and grabbing her thigh twice.

When the woman got off the tram near Ashton town centre, she was visibly upset, it is claimed. A passenger helped escort her to the driver to tell them what had happened.

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The incident has since been reported to police. A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault but has since been released on bail pending further enquiries, a spokesman for GMP said.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the woman says she no longer feels safe using the Metrolink service. “It was absolutely horrible,” she added.

“I’ve not felt safe on the tram since and I’ve been looking for a seat near the driver or near the emergency buttons. (The man) was walking around with a full pint glass and a can. At first, he seemed quite friendly and he was chatting to people. When I finally got off the tram no one said anything or did anything.

“I wasn’t near any of the buttons to push for the driver. When I got off, I was shaken up and upset to be honest. A passer-by walked with me to the