A harrowing case of false imprisonment and sexual assault unfolded in Waterlooville, Hampshire, involving Sean David Perry, 37, from St Mary’s Road, Southampton. The incident, which occurred on 5 May 2019, began when the victim, a man in his 30s, was deceived into visiting an address on Thrush Walk after connecting online with Caprice Martine Buddle earlier that spring. Unbeknownst to him, this meeting was a trap orchestrated by Perry and Buddle.
Upon arrival, the victim was confronted by Perry and another man. Over several hours, he endured brutal physical and sexual abuse. The court at Portsmouth Crown Court heard details of how the victim was struck with a stool, kicked repeatedly, forced to consume cleaning fluid, and subjected to assault by penetration. Throughout the ordeal, he was verbally tormented and coerced into surrendering his phone, wallet, bank cards, and PIN numbers, amounting to a conspiracy to rob and commit fraud. Perry also caused actual bodily harm to the victim during the assault.
Following the abuse, the victim was blindfolded, bundled into the back of a vehicle, and driven around before being dumped at the roadside. Recognising his surroundings, he managed to flee home and immediately contacted the police. This prompt action enabled Hampshire Constabulary officers to swiftly locate and arrest Buddle at an address in Havant on the same day. Perry was apprehended several days later.
The investigation, led by Detective Constable Emily Dummer of Hampshire Constabulary’s Eastern Operation Amberstone team, was complex and involved analysis of DNA evidence, CCTV footage, phone records, and bank card transactions. Despite initially pleading not guilty, Perry changed his plea to guilty on the first day of his trial. He was sentenced on 4 November 2022 to 17 years' imprisonment for conspiracy to rob, false imprisonment, conspiracy to commit fraud, assault by penetration, and causing actual bodily harm. Buddle, convicted by a jury in May 2022, received 10 years for her role in the conspiracy to rob, false imprisonment, conspiracy to commit fraud, and possession of a Class A drug.
Detective Constable Dummer commented on the case: 'The victim in this case was subjected to a harrowing and traumatic ordeal which lasted over several hours. While nothing will ever be able to take that away, I am pleased that Perry and Buddle will now face the consequences of their despicable actions and spend a significant amount of time in prison for what they have done.' The victim's courage was pivotal, as Dummer noted: 'I would like to commend the victim’s incredible courage throughout the investigation and court process, without which we would not have been able to secure this outcome.' Three other men arrested in connection with the incident—a 26-year-old from London, a 38-year-old from Fareham, and a 27-year-old from Winchester—were released without further action.
This case highlights the dangers of online interactions and the severe consequences for those engaging in violent and sexual crimes, as pursued relentlessly by Hampshire Constabulary.