LAUREN COVENEY AND SOPHIE BURROWS FROM LIPHOOK AND WOKING INVOLVED IN GUILDFORD PARK ATTACK

In February 2017, a brutal assault carried out by a group of teenage girls in Guildford resulted in serious injuries to a 14-year-old girl, leading to multiple convictions and sentencing. The incident unfolded at Stoughton Recreation Ground, where the victim was subjected to a violent attack that shocked the local community and drew significant media attention.

According to court proceedings, the attack was initiated after a dispute on social media, specifically Facebook, where insults and provocative comments were exchanged between two groups of young people. The three girls involved drove to the park, with the intention of confronting the victim. The defendants included Sophie Burrows, 17-year-old from Midhurst, who was working at Gala Bingo in Woking at the time, Lauren Coveney, 19, an apprentice hairdresser from Haslemere Road in Liphook, and a 17-year-old whose identity remains protected for legal reasons.

On the night of January 9 last year, the victim was ordered by Burrows to choose which of the three girls she would fight. When she hesitated and chose Sophie, Burrows ominously warned her, saying, “You’ve just made the worst mistake of your life.” Moments later, Burrows produced a wheel brace, a metal tool approximately 30 centimeters long, which she had concealed up her sleeve. The trio then launched a sustained and vicious assault on the young girl, with Hannah Duncan, prosecuting, describing the attack as relentless. The victim was repeatedly struck and kicked while cowering on the ground.

The injuries inflicted were severe. The 14-year-old sustained two deep head wounds caused by the metal bar, which resembled a crowbar, along with a fractured nose, bruised ribs, and two black eyes. The attack left her visibly bloodied, with her hair matted with blood as she fled the scene. Her mother was overwhelmed with distress upon seeing her daughter’s injuries, and the girl was immediately taken to hospital for treatment.

Following the assault, all three defendants voluntarily attended the police station, responding to a social media appeal by detectives. Police examined their online comments, which included derogatory remarks about the victim. Burrows described her as a “grass” and admitted that she believed she had broken the girl’s nose, stating, “We did good.” Coveney also made a comment about the victim’s injuries, saying, “Cut her nose open. Boo.”

The victim later reported ongoing health issues, including headaches, a clicking nose, and a lump that made her self-conscious. In her victim impact statement, she revealed suffering from nightmares, flashbacks, and sleep disturbances. She expressed her fear of further retaliation, stating, “I live in fear of what they might do again. Next time I might not be so lucky.” The incident also caused her to experience bullying and abuse at her new school, forcing her to transfer for a fresh start.

Judge Neil Stewart sentenced Sophie Burrows to 14 months in prison, emphasizing her leading role in the attack and the fact that she brought and used a weapon. He stated, “You took the lead role. I cannot justify suspending the sentence.” Burrows was also subject to a three-year restraining order prohibiting her from entering the Park Barn area of Guildford or contacting the victim. Coveney received a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years, along with 200 hours of unpaid work, a three-month curfew from 8 pm to 5 am, and a financial penalty of £960 in compensation. The 17-year-old received a 12-month referral order and was also ordered to pay £960.

Overall, this incident highlights the dangers of social media disputes escalating into violent confrontations and underscores the serious consequences faced by those involved. The community remains concerned about youth violence and the influence of online interactions on real-world behavior.