A Reading attempted rape and sexual assault case has appeared on the BBC's Crimewatch Live this week.
In November 2022, a woman was violently attacked while walking home alone to student accommodation in the town in the early hours of the morning.
A man in his 20s, Sagar Gurung, had followed her down West Street, removing his belt before attacking her in Queens Walk.
The assault, captured on CCTV, was interrupted by a security guard.
In the Crimewatch episode, Detective Chief Inspector Laura Corscadden said she 'stopped in her tracks' when she first heard about what the footage showed.
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On the show, DCI Corscadden and Detective Inspector James Jackson explain how CCTV, connections with local venues, phone and finance tracking were used to find the perpetrator.
Police found him packing with a one-way ticket to Hong Kong three days after the attack.
On August 8 2023, Sagar Gurung, then aged 27, was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for the main count of attempted rape, with an extended licence period of four years.
Gurung, of Salisbury Road, Reading, was found guilty by a jury on May 10 of attempted rape and sexual assault by penetration. He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of kidnap.
A victim impact statement written by the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was read out in court.
It read: “This incident had the greatest impact on my heart than I’ve ever felt. I think I went into shock after it happened.
“I cried every day, several times a day until I fell asleep. I still had to continue with my routine, but I could not concentrate in my studies - I had to postpone my exams.”
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This week, Thames Valley Police shared a statement from the victim on their social media.
It said: “This has taken me a long time to get over, but today I can honestly say that I have become a girl who can live a normal life, smile and laugh.”
The force added: "To anyone who has been the victim of sexual violence, we hope that this case demonstrates how seriously we take these incidents and how we will work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.
"For more information on reporting sexual assault and rape, including the support available, visit https://orlo.uk/AYUvy"
Series 22, episode 9 'Vanished', aired on BBC One at 10.45am on October 16, and it will be on the i-player for 30 days after it was first shown.
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