Epsom man jailed for sexual attacks on lone women

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A man who preyed on lone women has been jailed for 10 years after pleading guilty to three sexual assaults, two common assaults and breaching his Sexual Risk Order (SRO). 

Warren Morton 23, from, East Street, Epsom, was sentenced on Tuesday (24 May), at Guildford Crown Court. As well as the prison sentence, he was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), with prohibitions. 

The most recent assault occurred on 30 June 2021 whilst Morton was on court bail for assaults he had committed in 2020. A woman in her 20s reported that she had been attacked in a wooded area on Epsom Common close to the Wells Estate. She was walking along a wooded pathway on the common when Morton attacked her from behind, causing her to fall backwards onto the floor. 

The woman managed to fight back and free herself. She immediately contacted the police and flagged down a dog walker. Morton ran off out of the common and back towards Epsom town centre.

Morton also pleaded guilty to an assault on 16 September 2020, when he approached a woman walking along a street and grabbed her buttock from behind. The woman confronted Morton and he made off. A short time later, on the same day, Morton approached a girl under the age of 16. She challenged Morton’s behaviour and he fled the location.

Morton also pleaded guilty to a further attack on 28 July 2020, when he followed a woman into an alleyway and grabbed her from behind, causing her to fall on her back, before kissing her and making off.

Warren Morton, 23, who has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Detective Constable Hollie Say, who investigated the incident, said: “The fact that Morton is behind bars for 10 years reflects the seriousness of his offending, which continued despite the fact that he had been given a Sexual Risk Order and was on bail for previous similar offences. Knowing that he will be in prison for a significant length of time will hopefully allow the victims to begin moving on with their lives.

“This man’s predatory behaviour simply cannot be condoned and knowing that is off the streets will reassure the local community that his offending has been curtailed.”

If you have been the victim of a sexual assault and you would like advice, please go to Surrey Police’s web page here https://www.surrey.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/

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