IAN HEWER AND SHOCKING STRANGER ATTACK IN WEYMOUTH
A convicted sex offender has received a substantial prison sentence after committing a brutal assault on a young woman within the streets of Weymouth.The incident occurred during the early hours and involved stalking, violence, and an attempt to silence the victim, leaving a lasting impact on her life.
Ian David Hewer, aged 40 and residing on Rodwell Road, appeared before Dorchester Crown Court to face charges related to the assault.
He pleaded guilty to a single count of assault by penetration, which was committed on December 1 of the previous year.
The court detailed how Hewer followed the 19-year-old woman through Weymouth town centre after she left a social gathering with friends and had arranged to meet someone for a ride home.
According to evidence presented, Hewer tracked her movements, eventually shadowing her to the rear of Debenhams on Commercial Road.
Surveillance footage captured the moment Hewer suddenly emerged from an alcove behind the store and launched an attack.
The court was told that he punched the woman twice in the head, then forcibly covered her mouth and told her to be quiet.
The assault was severe enough to cause lasting trauma, and the victim was notably disturbed by the incident, which had a detrimental effect on her personal relationships and her ability to seek employment.
Eyewitnesses in the area heard the woman shouting for help during the attack and responded by intervening to assist her.
One bystander managed to pursue Hewer after he fled the scene and was able to identify him as a former colleague.
During the pursuit, Hewer falsely claimed that the woman was his ex-wife and that the situation was a misunderstanding, which initially persuaded the bystander to let him go.
However, upon returning to the victim, the bystander recognized that the story was false and reported Hewer's identity to the police.
Hewer’s criminal record is extensive, comprising six previous convictions across fifteen offences.
Despite his past, he remained silent and bowed his head during the court proceedings.
In mitigation, Hewer's legal team, led by Neil Hinton, stated that Hewer was uncertain about his motives for the attack but expressed remorse.
Hinton highlighted that the assault was influenced by alcohol, which impaired Hewer’s judgment.
He explained that Hewer had seen the victim alone in town after the attack and that he was shocked and horrified by his actions, which he deeply regretted.
The judge, Roger Jarvis, sentenced Hewer to four and a half years in prison for the assault.
In his remarks, the judge described the attack as one of the most heinous types of stranger assaults, emphasizing the stalking behavior and the severe ordeal inflicted upon the victim.
The court acknowledged the crucial role played by members of the public who came to the victim's aid during the attack and commended their bravery.
Hewer was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the serious nature of his conviction.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Declan Cummings of Weymouth CID expressed gratitude to the members of the public who intervened.
Cummings underscored the gravity of the assault, the importance of community vigilance, and how crucial their actions were in ensuring that Hewer was brought to justice.
He praised the public-spiritedness of those who responded, noting that without their timely intervention, identifying and apprehending Hewer might not have been possible.
