Avan Mogridge

On 19 May 2017, Avan Mogridge, a 32-year-old former soldier from Church Street in Stamford, was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court for a brutal sexual assault that occurred in October 2016. Mogridge dragged an 18-year-old woman into a woodland copse in Guildford, where he subjected her to a violent hour-long attack, raping and sexually assaulting her while threatening to kill her.

The incident took place in the early morning hours of October 2016, transforming the victim's life irrevocably. In a poignant victim impact statement read out in court, she described the profound devastation caused by Mogridge's actions: "I used to be a bubbly and confident girl and enthusiastic about life and living it. I had dreams for my future and dreams to achieve my dreams. I am now traumatised, scared, drained and frightened. What sort of life is this? It’s not. It’s an existence. I haven’t been able to work and I loved my job." She further elaborated, "I used to love my life, my friends and family, my work, my independence, my hopes and dreams. But all that changed. One day in October, because of one person. My life turned upside down and my dreams disappeared."

The attack was interrupted by a couple who witnessed the assault, intervened, and promptly called the police, potentially preventing further harm. Following a thorough investigation by Surrey Police, Mogridge was arrested and charged with rape, sexual assault, and making threats to kill. Detective Constable Tim Faltermeyer, who led the investigation, commended the victim's bravery throughout the legal process, stating: "This was a horrifying and traumatising hour-long attack on an innocent young woman and I would like to commend her for the sheer bravery she has shown throughout the court process. I would also like to thank the couple who witnessed and intervened and called police that morning, without them who knows how long the attack could have lasted."

Mogridge's sentencing reflects the severity of his crimes, with the court imposing a substantial term to reflect the harm inflicted. The case underscores the commitment of Surrey Police to handling sexual offence reports with sensitivity and determination, as highlighted by Faltermeyer: "I hope this reassures anybody who may have been a victim of sexual assault or rape that we take reports extremely seriously and specialist officers will always investigate fully and sensitively." This incident, reported by Surrey Live, serves as a stark reminder of the lasting impact of such violent crimes on victims' lives.