Half-Naked Sex Fiend Attempts Rape in Manhattan Subway Station
A half-naked sex fiend with 51 past arrests, Lamel Batten, 44, allegedly tried to rape a 21-year-old woman inside a Manhattan subway station on Wednesday night, according to police and sources.
The incident occurred at the 116th Street – Columbia University subway station around 11:45 p.m. Batten, a homeless career criminal, allegedly attacked the woman as she got off a platform bench.
Witnesses reported that Batten was naked with his pants down and threw the victim against a wall before forcefully grabbing her shirt and shoving his face between her breasts.
Despite his attempts to remove her pants, the victim managed to break free and ran to the mezzanine level of the station to report the attack to the authorities.
Batten was apprehended by the police at the scene and charged with attempted rape.
Prior to this incident, Batten was arrested for public lewdness and exposure of a person in another Upper West Side subway station.
Prosecutors in Manhattan requested supervised release for the non-bail eligible charges against Batten.
With a criminal history that includes 51 arrests for various offenses, Batten has served time in state prison and has been involved in multiple criminal incidents over the years.
He was described as a member of the violent street gang Nine Trey by sources.
Batten was awaiting arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday night.
