Man jailed for raping and assaulting a woman in Southampton

A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for the rape, false imprisonment and assault of a woman in Southampton.

Daniel David Tew, 42, of Mowbray Road in Southampton, appeared at Winchester Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 2 August) where he was sentenced after a jury found him guilty of seven offences on Friday (28 July).

The jury heard how Tew’s victim, a woman in her 40s, was asleep in the early hours of June 18 2022 when he began assaulting her. He head-butted her a number of times, spat at her, verbally abused her and ripped up her clothing. He also destroyed her phone, making it unusable.

After Tew fell asleep, the victim managed to escape to a friend’s house, who took her to hospital where she received treatment for a broken nose and an injury to her lip. She also suffered bruising to her body and damage to a tooth. She then attended Southampton Central Police Station where she spoke to an officer about what had happened to her.

The victim also reported that Tew had raped, sexually assaulted and assaulted her in a separate incident at a hotel.

Tew was arrested at his home address and subsequently charged with rape, assault by penetration, false imprisonment, assault by beating, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of criminal damage.

He pleaded not guilty to the offences, however a jury found him guilty of all counts following a ten day trial.

He has now been sentenced to nine years in prison and will be managed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

In a Victim Impact Statement read to the court, Tew's victim described how she didn't feel safe in her own home as a result of Tew's behaviour.


She said: "My physical injuries, although healed, are a constant reminder of what I was put through. I have never been so ill-treated and frightened of an individual in all my life. Me and my life will never be the same again."

Sexual Offences Investigative Trained (SOIT) officer Police Constable James Canneaux, of Hampshire Constabulary’s specialist rape and sexual offences unit, Operation Amberstone, said: “The victim in this case has shown incredible courage and I would like to express my sincere thanks to her for walking into Southampton Central Police Station and telling us what had happened to her that day. Without her bravery we would not have secured this outcome and Tew would not be behind bars, where he can no longer harm her or anyone else.

Detective Constable Joanne Boyd, who led the investigation, said: “The victim described to us how Tew told her that nobody would help her. I would like to reassure all victims of this type of abuse today that this will never be the case. You will be listened to by the authorities and support services, and you will be taken seriously.

“Male violence towards women and girls has no place in our society. I hope that this sentence shows how seriously we take these offences and how hard we are working to ensure that offenders such as Tew are jailed, but most importantly I hope that this sentence helps the victim begin to move forward with her life.

“If you have experienced something similar, it’s never too late to tell us. We know that not everyone is ready to speak to police, and that’s ok, but there are many support organisations that can help you.”

You can get in touch with us by calling 101 or by visiting https://www.hampshire.police.uk/

Always call 999 in an emergency.

If you are a survivor of domestic abuse in Southampton, Yellow Door, a local charity, can offer you a range of help and support. Visit their website, yellowdoor.org.uk or contact them on 023 8063 6312 for more information.