RICHARD STRANGE'S SHOCKING CRIME IN ROMSEY: SEXUAL ASSAULT AND VIOLENCE REVEALED

In a disturbing incident that unfolded in Romsey, Richard Strange, a man with a troubling history, attempted to invade a teenage girl’s home in the dead of night. The events began when Strange, who was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, decided to climb a ladder against a residential property in an effort to peer into the house, driven by an apparent infatuation with a young girl living there.

According to court reports, Strange managed to reach an open window and entered the house. However, he quickly realized he had entered the wrong bedroom, as it was the mother’s room rather than the girl’s. Recognizing his mistake, Strange promptly apologized, saying, “It’s okay, I’m going now,” before retreating onto the landing.

While on the landing, Strange’s actions escalated further when he woke the teenage girl and her younger sister. The older girl emerged from her room and followed Strange, who then motioned for her to go downstairs. Shockingly, he proceeded to declare his romantic interest in her, leaning forward to kiss her and licking her lips in a clear act of sexual misconduct.

Following this disturbing encounter, Strange left the house and returned to his partner, Lucy Harley’s residence. An argument ensued, during which Strange pushed Harley to the floor and then punched her three times in the face, demonstrating a pattern of violent behavior.

Richard Strange, aged 29 and residing on Duttons Road in Romsey, faced legal proceedings for his actions. He was convicted of sexual assault related to the incident but admitted to the lesser charge of battery. The case was heard at Southampton Crown Court, where Judge Jeremy Burford QC addressed the severity of the case.

Judge Burford noted that, under normal circumstances, Strange would have faced imprisonment. However, considering that he had already served nearly a year in remand and had tested negative for drugs since the incident, the judge opted for a more lenient sentence. The court ordered Strange to undergo 12 months of supervised probation, including participation in various courses, notably one focused on domestic violence. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for a period of five years, marking a significant legal consequence for his actions in Romsey.