JERMY BLAKE SIMMONS SENTENCED TO OVER 13 YEARS IN EASTLEIGH FOR KIDNAPPING AND THREATS TO KILL

A man has been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison following a brutal attack that involved kidnapping and threatening to kill a 19-year-old woman in a park. Jeremy Blake Simmons, 20 years old, assaulted the woman around 2:15 am on August 4, 2020, as she was walking along Leigh Road in Eastleigh.

During the assault, Simmons claimed he had a gun and proceeded to punch and kick her to prevent her from screaming. He then dragged her into the adjacent recreation ground. Evidence from the prosecution, represented by barrister Christopher Wing, highlighted the lasting impact on the victim, who was left anxious, depressed, and plagued by nightmares after the incident.

The court also heard that Simmons, who was of no fixed address, initially claimed he was attempting to rob the woman, who was unaware of his presence. Notably, the victim managed to call 999 before it all escalated, allowing her call to be heard by emergency services. A CCTV operator monitored the situation and alerted the police, who successfully rescued the distressed woman.

Simmons admitted guilt to one count of assault causing actual bodily harm, one count of threats to kill, and kidnapping during proceedings at Southampton Crown Court on September 9, 2020. After a three-day trial that concluded on March 10, Simmons was also found guilty of kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to a separate robbery in which he stole a woman’s handbag in East Park, Southampton, while she was separated from her friends.

Defense lawyer Elisabeth Bussey-Jones argued that Simmons’s life had unraveled after his mother’s death in 2019 and that he had suffered severe childhood abuse and neglect. Nevertheless, Judge Christopher Park QC described him as a danger to the public and imposed an extended sentence for his actions.

On May 12 at Southampton Crown Court, Simmons received a total sentence of 13 years and four months. Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Sean Owens from Hampshire Constabulary’s Amberstone team stated, “This was a truly harrowing and unprovoked attack on a vulnerable woman late at night. At a time where she should feel safe walking home within her local community, she was subjected to a serious assault. I would like to commend the victim for her courage throughout the investigation.”

He further praised the quick actions of the CCTV operator, which likely prevented the assault from becoming even more violent and severe.