DORCHESTER MAN SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS FOR ATTEMPTED KIDNAP OF WOMAN
A woman from Bridport who narrowly escaped a terrifying kidnapping attempt expressed her relief after her attacker received his sentence.Alison Lodder, 23, was overcome with emotion following the sentencing of Steven Mentor to six years at Dorchester Crown Court yesterday.
She told the Echo, "This is such positive news; the last few months have been horrible, but now I feel ready to rebuild my life." She also voiced her determination to face her attacker in court, saying: "I was so resolved to appear in person and confront him because I did not want to let this incident defeat me.
Waiting for the judge’s decision was the most difficult part, but it was worth it—six years is a fitting sentence." Steven Norman Mentor, 28, from Vigo Road in Andover, Hampshire, was convicted by a jury on charges of attempted kidnap after a five-day trial.
The ex-soldier attacked Miss Lodder in daylight on June 26 of that year, when she was walking along a rural path back to her home in Walditch village.
She believed Mentor was holding a knife to her throat and feared she was about to be raped and murdered as he forced her across Walditch Road and tried to lift her over a fence.
The assault had a lasting impact on her mental health.
Miss Lodder, who experienced flashbacks and was prescribed medication following the attack, explained: "I have changed completely; I have had to be incredibly strong just to get through this.
I used to be outgoing, but now I am highly paranoid and cautious.
I cannot return to London, where I managed a health club, and I only came home for a short break.
This whole ordeal was a huge setback.
I had a better job interview lined up but couldn't bring myself to attend after what happened, so now I am just working at a bar." She urged other crime victims not to be afraid of testifying against their attackers, stressing the importance of support systems.
When Mentor was sentenced to prison, Recorder Peter Blair remarked that he believed the attack had sexual motives and that it was necessary for the victim to relive her experience in court.
Detective Constable Tim Bugler praised Miss Lodder for her courage and determination to pursue justice.
