Redhill: Man sentenced after sexually assaulting teenager at cinema

Deedhar Coowar, 36, of Redhill pleaded guilty to sexual assault by touching following the incident on September 2, 2023.

The force said the teenager was watching a film with a friend at The Light when she noticed the man sat next to her repeatedly touching her leg.

After the film ended, Surrey Police said an off-duty staff member at the cinema approached her and asked if she knew the man, because she had also noticed him taking photos.

This was quickly reported to the cinema manager who contacted the police.

By piecing together booking information and CCTV coverage, officers identified Coowar as a suspect and he was arrested. His phone was seized and officers found the images of the victim.

Coowar appeared at Guildford Magistrates’ Court on September 3, 2024 and was sentenced to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Surrey Police said this prohibits him from capturing images of any person without their knowledge, using any device capable of accessing the internet without notifying police and not having contact with any child under the age of 16 that is not reasonably unavoidable.

He was also given an 18-month community order involving 200 hours of unpaid work, 40 days of rehabilitative activity and £199 in costs, the force added.

The Light in Redhill have also prohibited him from entering their establishment.

Detective Constable Michael Barker said: “Firstly, I want to recognise this young victim’s courage for speaking up about Coowar’s completely unacceptable actions.

“We take all reports of this nature extremely seriously and acted quickly to identify and apprehend Coowar.

“We’re also grateful to the cinema staff for their quick response and professionalism in supporting our officers.

“Everyone should be able to enjoy Redhill safely and we hope this demonstrates that predatory behaviour of this kind will not be tolerated.”