Stamford Man Jailed for 18 Years in Shocking Guildford Rape Case
A 32-year-old man from Stamford has been slapped with an 18-year prison sentence after raping and threatening to kill an 18-year-old woman in Guildford back in October 2016. Avan Mogridge, from Church Street, was found guilty of multiple charges including rape, sexual penetration, and making death threats at Guildford Crown Court on Friday 19 May.
Horrific Attack in Early Morning Hours
In the early hours of Saturday 22 October 2016, at around 6:15am, the victim was walking to work along Parkway when Mogridge struck. He dragged her off the pavement into a nearby wooded area, held her down, and threatened her before committing the brutal assault. The victim suffered serious sexual violence during an hour-long attack that left her traumatised.
Victim Speaks Out: ‘My Life Turned Upside Down’
“I used to be a bubbly and confident girl… I had dreams for my future,” the victim said in a court statement. “I am now traumatised, scared, drained and frightened. What sort of life is this? It’s not. It’s an existence.”
She added that she hasn’t been able to return to work and her hopes and independence were shattered by the attack. “All that changed. One day in October, because of one person. My life turned upside down and my dreams disappeared.”
Police Praise Witnesses and Urge Reporting
Detective Constable Tim Faltermeyer saluted the victim’s courage and the quick actions of a couple who witnessed the attack and called police. “Without them, who knows how long the attack could have lasted,” he said.
“We take reports of sexual offences extremely seriously. Specialist officers will investigate every case thoroughly and sensitively.”
Sentencing: Mogridge was handed 18 years behind bars – 14 years in custody plus four on licence. Surrey Police encourage anyone affected by sexual abuse to come forward and report incidents promptly so they can get the help and justice they deserve.
