Jeremy Blake Simmons

Jeremy Blake Simmons, a 20-year-old man of no fixed address, carried out a violent and terrifying attack on a vulnerable 19-year-old woman in Eastleigh, Hampshire, on the early morning of 4 August 2020. The incident unfolded around 2:15am as the victim walked along Leigh Road, completely unaware of Simmons' approach. He confronted her, falsely claiming to possess a gun, and began punching and kicking her to silence her screams before dragging her into the adjacent recreation ground.

According to court proceedings at Southampton Crown Court, Simmons initially claimed his motive was robbery, but further evidence revealed a more sinister intent. The victim managed to dial 999 during the assault, allowing the entire ordeal to be overheard by emergency services. A vigilant CCTV operator quickly alerted Hampshire Constabulary, who responded promptly and rescued the distraught woman from further harm. Prosecution barrister Christopher Wing detailed how the attack left the victim suffering from severe anxiety, depression, and recurring nightmares, profoundly impacting her sense of safety in her local community.

Simmons had pleaded guilty on 9 September 2020 to charges including assault causing actual bodily harm, threats to kill, and kidnap. Following a three-day trial concluding on 10 March 2021, he was found guilty of kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence. Additionally, he admitted to a separate robbery in East Park, Southampton, where he stole a handbag from another woman, along with four counts of fraud. Defence barrister Elisabeth Bussey-Jones argued that Simmons' actions stemmed from a troubled background, including the death of his mother in 2019 and a childhood marked by severe abuse and neglect.

However, Judge Christopher Park QC deemed Simmons a continuing danger to the public and imposed an extended sentence. On 12 May 2021, he was jailed for a total of 13 years and four months. Detective Constable Sean Owens from Hampshire Constabulary’s Amberstone team described the attack as 'truly harrowing and unprovoked,' praising the victim's courage throughout the investigation and the CCTV operator's quick thinking that prevented an even more severe outcome. This case underscores the rapid response of local authorities in protecting vulnerable individuals from predatory violence.