DEAN TOMS FROM HARLOW SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN ESSEX

A man identified as Dean Tombs has been handed a significant prison sentence following a serious sexual assault incident that took place in Harlow, Essex. The 45-year-old resident of Lower Meadow in Harlow was brought before Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, October 7, where he received his punishment after being convicted of multiple charges related to the assault that occurred in January 2024.

According to court reports, the incident unfolded on the evening of January 13, when the victim, whose identity remains protected, repeatedly expressed her refusal to engage in sexual activity with Tombs. Despite her clear and persistent objections, Tombs ignored her protests and proceeded to assault her. The attack resulted in the victim sustaining multiple injuries to her face and hands, which she later described as both physical and emotional trauma.

Following the assault, the victim managed to contact authorities promptly. She provided a detailed account of the events and supplied evidence that supported her claims. Law enforcement officers responded swiftly, arresting Tombs at his residence in Lower Meadow, Harlow, on suspicion of rape, causing actual bodily harm (ABH), and non-fatal strangulation.

On January 14, 2024, the day after his arrest, Tombs was formally charged with several serious offenses, including rape, sexual assault by penetration, causing actual bodily harm, and intentional strangulation. Despite the charges, he entered a plea of not guilty to all counts during the subsequent court proceedings.

After a four-day trial, the jury reached a verdict. They found Tombs guilty of the charges of rape, sexual assault by penetration, and ABH. However, they acquitted him of the charge of intentional strangulation. The court subsequently sentenced him to nine years in prison for the rape conviction, an additional two years for sexual assault by penetration, and nine months for the ABH, with all sentences to run concurrently. Furthermore, Tombs is now subject to an indefinite restraining order, prohibiting any contact with the victim and ensuring her ongoing safety.

This case highlights the serious consequences of sexual violence and the justice system’s commitment to holding offenders accountable for their actions in Essex and beyond.