Convicted child sex offender Rodney Stephen Matthews caught in sexual act on Sydney train

A serial child sex offender committed a vile sexual act on a Sydney train in front of a terrified woman.

Train commuters were in shock when a man committed a vile sex act on a train before biting a man.

A convicted child sex offender masturbated in front of a woman on a train before biting a commuter who tried to detain the pest.

The female victim sat down and placed her headphones on for the Gosford to Sydney train, before looking up and seeing Rodney Stephen Matthews, 40, carrying out the heinous act at about 9:20am.

Matthews pleaded guilty to carrying out a sexual act with another without consent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, wilful and obscene exposure in public place and two counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations.

The Central Coast man faced Hornsby Local Court by videolink on April 12.

Matthews was listed on the child protection register in 2017 for life after being sentenced to a number of child sex related offences.

Facts reveal Matthews boarded a NSW train, before standing over an unsuspecting woman and began masturbating on August 11, last year.

Epping Train Station, where the train was terminated. Picture: supplied

The distressed woman was seen on CCTV running through the carriage in shock, begging passengers for assistance.

A man was bitten on the hand by Matthews after an attempted citizen’s arrest.

Police received several calls from horrified passengers.

The train was terminated at Epping Train Station as the sex pest was arrested.

Matthews was found in possession of “sex aid” items in his backpack, according to facts.

Defence lawyer Warren Yi told the court Matthews was on drugs at the time.

“He needs help from drugs – this wouldn’t happen had he not been on drugs,” Mr Yi said.

The heinous crime was committed on a train from Gosford to Sydeny in broad daylight.

Magistrate Alex Mijovich said Matthews refused help in the past.

“What attempt has he made (to get help)? Does he have to be led by a ring through his nose? He’s committing offences through his own lifestyle choices,” Mr Mijovich said.

Matthews also pleaded guilty to contravening his prohibition order and smoking on a public train and goods in custody suspected stolen, after being found with a seniors Opal card.

The court heard it was the third time Matthews had failed to comply with his strict orders.

Mr Mijovich said community protection is “paramount” in Matthews’ case.

“What happened is unacceptable, a man masturbating over a lady when she’s not paying attention,” he said.

Mr Yi said Matthews spiralled into drug abuse due to “stresses” his child sex criminal history would be discovered.

The terrified woman ran down the aisle after seeing Matthews masturbating over her.

“He’s tried rehab before but relapses due to stress – he has a belief things don’t go his way,” Mr Yi said.

The court heard Matthews had lost his job.

“If he’s allowed an opportunity to stay away from drugs with lengthy supervision, it would benefit the community and the offender,” Mr Yi said.

“The community doesn‘t want to be subjected to anything like this,” Mr Yi said.

The court heard Matthews had a supportive family in the Central Coast.

Matthews faced Hornsby Local Court.

Between August and September last year, Matthews was also charged with loitering at a police station and train station between and failing to report a new job the Ibis Hotel.

The court heard Matthews had an extensive criminal history, with other child sex offences, public indecency and possessing prohibited drugs.

“He has a total disregard for his obligations,” Mr Mijovich said.

Mr Mijovich said Matthews was assessed as having an “extremely high chance of recidivism”.

“A community sentence would be completely inappropriate,” Mr Mijovich said.

Matthews was sentenced to 15 months in prison, backdated to September 28.

He will be eligible for release on parole on May 27.