HAYDN PRAGER'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS LEADS TO LIFE SENTENCE
| Red Rose Database
Tunbridge Wells Rapist
In a chilling and brutal series of events that unfolded in the early hours of February 18 near Tunbridge Wells, Haydn Prager, aged 22, carried out a savage attack that has left a lasting scar on his victims and the community alike. The incident, which took place at a house in close proximity to Tunbridge Wells, was characterized by extreme violence and cruelty, culminating in Prager being sentenced to life imprisonment for his heinous crimes.
According to court reports, Prager entered the residence armed with a knife, initiating a night of terror that would forever change the lives of those involved. The attack was described by Judge Philip Statman at Maidstone Crown Court as a 'murderous assault,' highlighting the severity and brutality of the violence inflicted. During the assault, Prager repeatedly stabbed a young woman, who was left in a critical condition, with her life hanging in the balance. The judge noted that she was 'millimetres from death,' emphasizing the near-fatal nature of her injuries.
The woman, whose identity remains protected, endured a harrowing ordeal that included being raped and physically assaulted. She was subjected to humiliation and torment throughout the attack, much of which was overheard by police officers who responded after she made a desperate 999 call seeking help. The scene upon police arrival was described as 'utter carnage,' with officers encountering a naked Prager wielding scissors to a semi-conscious, blood-stained woman, threatening to kill her if they intervened. The officers believed she was slipping away in that bathroom, underscoring the urgency and danger of the situation.
During the attack, the assailant also stabbed a 15-year-old boy 11 times, inflicting wounds to his neck, chest, arm, and shoulder. Another teenager present in the house managed to escape by jumping from an upstairs window, suffering spinal injuries in the process. The injuries sustained by the victims were severe; the young woman had a 6cm cut to her neck, dangerously close to severing a major artery, along with a cut to her tongue and a fractured spinal bone. Her injuries necessitated six weeks of hospitalization, and she now faces ongoing difficulties with speech, swallowing, hand grip, and walking. Medical professionals have expressed doubt that she will ever be able to run again.
Prager’s violent assault extended beyond the woman, with the teenage boy also suffering multiple knife wounds. The court heard that the injuries included a cut to his neck, chest, arm, and shoulder, as well as a distinctive inverted 'J' shaped cut to his cheek that penetrated his mouth. The trauma inflicted on these young victims was profound, both physically and psychologically.
Victim impact statements were read aloud during the proceedings, revealing the profound emotional toll of the attack. The female victim described herself as 'ugly and ruined,' likening herself to the monster Frankenstein. She expressed a desire to die rather than continue struggling with her injuries and trauma, stating, 'I’d rather die than struggle for the rest of my life.' She also voiced hope for a return to normalcy, acknowledging that her recovery would be a long and arduous journey. The teenage boy also shared his feelings of anger and mental anguish, lamenting the missed opportunities in education and sports, and describing this period as 'the time of my life' that was stolen from him.
Prager, who resides on South View Road in Tunbridge Wells, admitted to two counts of attempted murder and one count of rape. An additional charge of aggravated burglary was left on file. During sentencing, Judge Statman emphasized the brutality of the attack, noting that Prager had broken into the house with the intent to commit these violent acts. The judge described the attack as 'vicious and sustained,' and sentenced Prager to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 10 years before eligibility for parole.
In his remarks, Judge Statman, who has been in the legal profession for 37 years, expressed his disbelief at the courage shown by the victims. He praised the female victim as 'an extraordinary young woman of the highest bravery' and commended her 'most remarkable determination' to survive and recover. The teenage boy was also recognized for his 'consummate bravery,' with the judge stating that he could not have done more to help during the ordeal.
The judge further commended the police, paramedics, and medical teams involved in the response, acknowledging their vital roles in managing the aftermath of such a horrific incident. Throughout most of the hearing, Prager sat with his head bowed in the dock, showing remorse or perhaps resignation. He told police that he had planned the attack and believed he deserved a life sentence, reflecting the gravity of his actions and the impact on his victims and their families.
According to court reports, Prager entered the residence armed with a knife, initiating a night of terror that would forever change the lives of those involved. The attack was described by Judge Philip Statman at Maidstone Crown Court as a 'murderous assault,' highlighting the severity and brutality of the violence inflicted. During the assault, Prager repeatedly stabbed a young woman, who was left in a critical condition, with her life hanging in the balance. The judge noted that she was 'millimetres from death,' emphasizing the near-fatal nature of her injuries.
The woman, whose identity remains protected, endured a harrowing ordeal that included being raped and physically assaulted. She was subjected to humiliation and torment throughout the attack, much of which was overheard by police officers who responded after she made a desperate 999 call seeking help. The scene upon police arrival was described as 'utter carnage,' with officers encountering a naked Prager wielding scissors to a semi-conscious, blood-stained woman, threatening to kill her if they intervened. The officers believed she was slipping away in that bathroom, underscoring the urgency and danger of the situation.
During the attack, the assailant also stabbed a 15-year-old boy 11 times, inflicting wounds to his neck, chest, arm, and shoulder. Another teenager present in the house managed to escape by jumping from an upstairs window, suffering spinal injuries in the process. The injuries sustained by the victims were severe; the young woman had a 6cm cut to her neck, dangerously close to severing a major artery, along with a cut to her tongue and a fractured spinal bone. Her injuries necessitated six weeks of hospitalization, and she now faces ongoing difficulties with speech, swallowing, hand grip, and walking. Medical professionals have expressed doubt that she will ever be able to run again.
Prager’s violent assault extended beyond the woman, with the teenage boy also suffering multiple knife wounds. The court heard that the injuries included a cut to his neck, chest, arm, and shoulder, as well as a distinctive inverted 'J' shaped cut to his cheek that penetrated his mouth. The trauma inflicted on these young victims was profound, both physically and psychologically.
Victim impact statements were read aloud during the proceedings, revealing the profound emotional toll of the attack. The female victim described herself as 'ugly and ruined,' likening herself to the monster Frankenstein. She expressed a desire to die rather than continue struggling with her injuries and trauma, stating, 'I’d rather die than struggle for the rest of my life.' She also voiced hope for a return to normalcy, acknowledging that her recovery would be a long and arduous journey. The teenage boy also shared his feelings of anger and mental anguish, lamenting the missed opportunities in education and sports, and describing this period as 'the time of my life' that was stolen from him.
Prager, who resides on South View Road in Tunbridge Wells, admitted to two counts of attempted murder and one count of rape. An additional charge of aggravated burglary was left on file. During sentencing, Judge Statman emphasized the brutality of the attack, noting that Prager had broken into the house with the intent to commit these violent acts. The judge described the attack as 'vicious and sustained,' and sentenced Prager to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 10 years before eligibility for parole.
In his remarks, Judge Statman, who has been in the legal profession for 37 years, expressed his disbelief at the courage shown by the victims. He praised the female victim as 'an extraordinary young woman of the highest bravery' and commended her 'most remarkable determination' to survive and recover. The teenage boy was also recognized for his 'consummate bravery,' with the judge stating that he could not have done more to help during the ordeal.
The judge further commended the police, paramedics, and medical teams involved in the response, acknowledging their vital roles in managing the aftermath of such a horrific incident. Throughout most of the hearing, Prager sat with his head bowed in the dock, showing remorse or perhaps resignation. He told police that he had planned the attack and believed he deserved a life sentence, reflecting the gravity of his actions and the impact on his victims and their families.