Guilty of Raping and Threatening to Kill 18-year-old Woman in Guildford

Published on: 20 Apr, 2017
Updated on: 24 Apr, 2017

A 32-year-old man from Stamford has been found guilty of raping and threatening to kill an 18-year-old woman in Parkway Road near the Spectrum leisure centre in the early hours of Saturday October 22 2016.

The victim was on her way to work at around 6.15am when she was grabbed and pulled into a wooded area next to the road, held to the ground and threatened before being seriously sexually assaulted. The brutal attack lasted almost an hour before a couple who were passing by intervened and called police.

Avan Mogridge, of Stamford, Lincolnshire was arrested at the scene and later charged with two counts of rape, two counts of sexual penetration and threats to kill.

Following an eight day trial at Guildford Crown Court Mogridge was yesterday (Wednesday, April 10 2017), found guilty by jurors of all five charges.

Commenting on the verdict, Detective Constable Tim Faltermeyer, said: “This was a brutal attack on a young woman who was going about her normal day to day business when she was subject to a prolonged vicious attack.

“I would like to commend the victim for the great courage and bravery she has shown throughout this investigation and the trial.

“Thanks to her bravery Mogridge has been brought to justice for the horrifying crimes he committed that day. I hope that this verdict enables the victim to somehow get closure for the horrifying ordeal she was subject to that morning.”

Mogridge has been remanded in custody and will appear at Guildford Crown Court for sentencing on 19 May.