DAREN CARL'S SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN CROYDON AND WIMBLEDON LEAD TO ONE-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE

In a disturbing series of events that unfolded over the course of just one week, Daren Carl, a 50-year-old man residing on Goodhew Road in Woodside, was found guilty of sexually assaulting seven young girls during their daily commutes in the Wimbledon area. The assaults, which took place between January 22 and January 28, 2014, involved inappropriate touching and lewd behavior directed at school-aged girls, most of whom were only 13 years old.

According to court proceedings, Carl targeted his victims while they were traveling on crowded buses and trams, exploiting the public transport environment to carry out his predatory acts. The court heard that Carl kept a detailed notebook in which he recorded information about bus routes that carried girls he deemed 'nice-looking,' indicating a disturbing level of premeditation and obsession. Additionally, authorities discovered a video camera in his possession, which contained footage capturing a teenage girl’s cleavage, further highlighting his voyeuristic tendencies.

Between January 22 and January 28, Carl committed a total of eight sexual assaults. During these incidents, he would touch the girls on their bottoms or breasts, with most victims being dressed in school uniforms, clearly identifiable as students heading to school. Prosecutor Liz Lockwood described the assaults in detail, noting that two of the victims, both aged 13, were assaulted on the same bus, a 57 bus, within minutes of each other on January 22. The following day, Carl targeted one of these victims again on the same bus, exhibiting suspicious behavior by repeatedly looking back at her to monitor her movements. Despite her attempts to distance herself, Carl allegedly blocked her path and used his elbow to make contact with her breast, an act she described as unwanted and distressing.

Victims' statements presented in court painted a grim picture of the emotional and psychological toll inflicted by Carl. One girl, who was only 13, was so traumatized that she avoided public transport altogether for a week after the assault. Another victim, a 16-year-old, recounted feeling 'very upset,' with tears in her eyes and a sense of physical sickness following her encounter with Carl.

Law enforcement officials acted swiftly after the incidents. Plain-clothed police officers, who had been monitoring the situation, boarded a bus with one of the victims and identified Carl as the suspect. The officers witnessed Carl committing another assault on a different girl before arresting him. The evidence against Carl was overwhelming, leading to his conviction and sentencing.

During the court hearing, Carl’s defense attorney, Clea Topolski, argued that her client showed genuine remorse, which she described as 'palpable' and expressed in various ways. She requested that the judge consider a suspended sentence, emphasizing Carl’s fears of losing his home of 19 years and his pet dog, which was his only companion. However, Judge Nicholas Carphely dismissed these pleas, citing the severity and number of offenses committed by Carl. He emphasized that the nature of the crimes warranted a custodial sentence and sentenced Carl to one year in prison.

Furthermore, the judge imposed strict restrictions on Carl’s future conduct, banning him from sitting near young girls on public transport and from photographing or filming them in public for the next ten years. This case underscores the importance of vigilance and swift law enforcement response in protecting vulnerable members of the community from predatory behavior.