Man who assaulted woman in Hersham alleyway given 15-year restraining order

Sam Miller, 26, of no fixed abode, was charged following the assault on June 16, 2024.

Police said the victim was walking along an alley between Trenchard Close and Queens Road in Hersham at around 10.20am when she was approached from behind and grabbed around the head and neck causing her injuries.

Surrey Police said she was pulled to the ground but fought back and her attacker, who was unknown to her, ran away.

She was found by members of the public who raised the alarm, the force added.

Officers immediately launched an enquiry to establish the identity of the attacker and conducted a number of enquiries including looking at CCTV and gathering forensic evidence which later identified Miller as the offender.

At a court hearing in April, Miller pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was given a 23-month custodial sentence and a 15-year restraining order against the victim on June 5.

Given that Miller was remanded into custody when he was charged, the judge determined the 12 months he had already served in prison counted towards his sentence, and he had served sufficient time.

Detective Constable Jamie Poil, who investigated the case, said: “Tackling violence against women and girls remains a priority for the force.

“This was an aggressive attack on a lone woman as she was out walking and must have been incredibly frightening.

“I know it caused significant community concern, but I hope the public are reassured that such incidents are taken extremely seriously and we will do everything possible to identify offenders and put them before the courts.”