DORIAN BELL'S HORRIFIC SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN VAUXHALL AND SOUTHWARK LEAD TO EIGHT-YEAR SENTENCE

In August 2017, a man identified as Dorian Bell, aged 32 and formerly residing on Bondway in Vauxhall, was sentenced to eight years in prison for a series of heinous sexual assaults committed over a single weekend in Southwark. The brutal spree spanned across several neighborhoods, including Borough, Walworth, and Camberwell, leaving a trail of trauma among his victims.

Bell's disturbing criminal activities began in the early hours of March 18, with his first attack occurring around 4 am at the St. Saviour’s Estate in the SE1 area. A young woman walking through the estate noticed a man following her. Bell approached her with the intent to engage in conversation, but his behavior quickly escalated. He pushed her against a wall, attempted to kiss her, and then proceeded to put his hand down her trousers, sexually assaulting her in the process.

Less than an hour later, at approximately 4:50 am on New Kent Road, Bell targeted a couple walking ahead of him. He approached the woman and forcefully put his hands up her dress. The woman responded by screaming and elbowing him, which caused Bell to flee the scene in a hurried escape.

The following day, on March 19, Bell continued his assault spree. At around 4:45 pm, he attacked a young woman on Beckway Street in Walworth. Bell hugged her and then placed his hand under her top to grop her, an act of sexual violence that added to his growing list of offenses.

Within the same hour, Bell's predatory behavior persisted on Walworth Road, where he approached a young woman walking with her father and groped her backside, further demonstrating his reckless disregard for personal boundaries and the safety of his victims.

The most severe incident occurred later that night at approximately 11:40 pm on John Ruskin Street. Bell dragged a woman into an alleyway, where he punched her in the face, pulled out a knife, and threatened to rape her. The victim’s screams attracted the attention of passers-by, who intervened just in time to prevent further harm. Bell then fled the scene.

Following the attacks, police officers quickly responded to witness descriptions and located Bell in a nearby street. He attempted to escape by fleeing into Queens Row, Walworth, but was chased and apprehended after a five-minute pursuit. During his arrest, Bell attempted to cut his wrists and throat with the knife he carried, but officers managed to restrain him and handcuff him.

Investigations linked Bell to the crimes through DNA evidence, CCTV footage, and witness testimonies. He subsequently pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempted rape, four counts of sexual assault, and possession of a knife.

On August 4, at the Inner London Crown Court, Bell was sentenced to serve eight years in prison, with an additional five years on license. He was also placed on the sex offenders register, reflecting the serious nature of his crimes.

Detective Constable Robert Jamieson of the Metropolitan Police’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command commented on the case, stating, “Dorian Bell is an extremely dangerous and disturbed sexual predator who has complete disregard for his victims and the impact his actions have had on their lives. The sentence handed to Bell reflects the gravity of the offences and the effect that his actions have had on the victims since the attacks.”