Man sentenced for East Grinstead rape

A police statement says that Tyrone Carr, 27, a gardener, of High Street, East Grinstead, appeared in custody at Lewes Crown Court today (Friday 4 August), and was sentenced for the rape of the 22-year old local woman on a footpath at Mount Noddy in the town in the early hours of Saturday 1 June, together with other offences, all in relation to the same incident.

He received a total of 15 years, five of which are to be served on extended licence.

The statement adds that just before 2am on Saturday 1 June, the woman in her 20s was walking home along a footpath which runs through Mount Noddy cemetery, between Moat Road and Badgers Way, when she was attacked by a man who forced her to the ground and raped her.

At that point two passers-by saw what was happening and intervened. The man threatened them and then ran off. Police were immediately contacted. The victim was treated for superficial physical injuries, and received support from specially trained detectives and medical experts.

Detective Chief Inspector Claire Pridgeon of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team said; ”This was a violent attack by a stranger on a young woman walking home. She was severely distressed and remains so to this day. It was thanks to the couple passing by that she did not suffer an even more terrifying ordeal.

“Their response clearly disrupted Carr’s deliberate assault and he ran off, after still pursuing the victim for a further short distance. This, together with the work by our team and local officers, plus the detailed forensic evidence we were able to obtain, enabled us to bring Carr to justice.”