SAM ASHLEY FAREHAM RAPIST: POLICE FAIL TO DISCLOSE PRIOR ALLEGATION IN GRINDR CASE

In a detailed report released in June 2018, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) uncovered significant shortcomings in the handling of a series of sexual assault allegations involving Sam Ashley, a man from Fareham. The investigation revealed that police authorities failed to disclose a crucial prior allegation against Ashley, which could have influenced the ongoing investigation into his recent crimes.

Sam Ashley, aged 30, was already under police surveillance due to a conviction for a child sex offence in 2013. Despite this, he continued to commit serious sexual offences, notably raping and drugging men he met through the popular gay hook-up app Grindr in 2016. These incidents involved multiple victims and raised serious concerns about the adequacy of police management and risk assessment procedures.

The report highlights that Hampshire police’s offender management team did not inform the investigators working on the 2016 attacks about a previous allegation made against Ashley in 2006. This earlier allegation involved a claim that Ashley had raped an intoxicated man. Although Ashley denied the accusation, he was not prosecuted or formally charged over this incident. The failure to share this information meant that the investigation into the 2016 assaults was conducted without full knowledge of Ashley’s prior history.

Furthermore, the IOPC report states that Ashley, who resides in Lynton Gardens, Fareham, was not officially classified as a ‘high risk’ offender until after the fourth victim in 2016 came forward, alleging that Ashley had raped him. This delay in risk assessment potentially impacted the level of supervision and management Ashley received from authorities.

Following a comprehensive five-month investigation, the IOPC issued five recommendations aimed at improving police procedures and offender management practices. As a result of these findings, Ashley was sentenced on the Monday to 23 years in prison for his crimes.

The watchdog also identified that two Hampshire Constabulary staff members—an investigator and a detective sergeant from the offender management team—should receive management action regarding their performance. The IOPC provided learning recommendations on how sex offenders should be managed, which Hampshire police have accepted and implemented.

While the investigation scrutinized the conduct of these two officers, no misconduct proceedings were initiated against them. The case has highlighted critical gaps in communication and risk assessment within Hampshire police, raising questions about the adequacy of procedures for managing known sex offenders and protecting potential victims.