Sean Spooner

Sean Spooner, a 33-year-old resident of Cambridge, was convicted at Cambridge Crown Court for a series of violent sexual offences committed against two women in the city. The incidents occurred in the early hours of 28 June 2022, highlighting Spooner's predatory behaviour in a public nightlife setting.

The first assault took place inside a venue in Cambridge. Spooner approached his initial victim, engaging her in conversation on a few occasions. He then escalated the situation by kissing her and touching her inappropriately, becoming aggressive despite her repeated requests to stop. The victim resisted, pushing him away, after which her friends alerted the door staff, who promptly ejected Spooner from the premises. This event was charged as one count of sexual assault.

• Spooner's actions demonstrated a clear disregard for the victim's consent and boundaries.
• The swift intervention by venue staff prevented further harm at that moment.

Undeterred, Spooner targeted a second victim shortly afterwards. Having approached her earlier inside the same venue, he followed her outside to Market Square around 3:30am. There, he raped her, resulting in two counts of rape and two counts of assault by penetration. The attack was brazen, occurring in a public space, and left the victim with severe psychological trauma.

On 9 May 2024, at Cambridge Crown Court, Spooner was found guilty on all charges following a trial. He received an extended sentence of 17 years: 11 years to be served in custody, followed by a six-year extended licence period. Additionally, indefinite restraining orders were imposed to protect the victims and the public from future harm. The sentencing reflects the gravity of the offences and Spooner's assessed danger to women.

Detective Sergeant Elaine Penniket of Cambridgeshire Constabulary commented on the case: “Spooner’s predatory behaviour has left two women with lasting long-term psychological trauma. I would like to thank them for their bravery in helping support us with a prosecution and also appearing to give evidence in court. I hope this sentence gives them a little bit of closure from these horrific events. As for Spooner, I am glad he is behind bars because he is a danger to women.” The investigation and prosecution were led by Cambridgeshire Constabulary, underscoring their commitment to tackling sexual violence in the community.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by individuals like Spooner in social environments, with the court's decision providing some measure of justice for the brave victims who came forward.