Thames Valley Police have announced that a man has been charged with a series of serious sexual offences against multiple women he is alleged to have met through online dating platforms. Andrew Dent, aged 54 and residing on Desborough Road in High Wycombe, faces a total of twenty charges, including nine counts of rape, five counts of sexual assault by penetration, three counts of intentional strangulation, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and one count of voyeurism.
Alleged Attacks on Two Women
According to police statements released on Monday, two women have come forward with allegations against Dent. One victim, a woman in her thirties from South Wales, claims she was attacked in a West Berkshire hotel on the evening of June 19, 2024. She also alleges that intimate photographs were taken of her without her consent during this incident.
The other victim, a woman in her fifties from London, reported being assaulted at an address in Henley-on-Thames on the evening of October 26, 2024. Both women state that they initially connected with Dent through dating apps or websites, and that the attacks occurred on multiple separate occasions after these meetings.
Legal Proceedings and Custody
Dent was formally charged last Tuesday and remains in police custody as the case progresses. He is scheduled to appear at Reading Crown Court this Wednesday for a trial related to these twenty sexual offences. The charges underscore the severity of the allegations, with rape and strangulation counts highlighting the violent nature of the incidents.
Rising Sexual Offence Rates in Thames Valley
Official police figures reveal a concerning trend in sexual offences within the Thames Valley region. From February 2025 to January 2026, there were 7,410 sexual offences reported, which translates to a rate of 2.91 crimes per 1,000 people. This total includes 2,531 reports of rape and 4,879 non-rape sexual offences.
This represents a 9.3% increase compared to the previous year, when 6,780 sexual offences were reported between February 2024 and January 2025. That period itself saw a rise from the year before, which had 6,297 reported offences, indicating a persistent upward trajectory in such crimes.
Outcomes and Support Measures
In the most recent reporting year, from February 2025 to January 2026, police noted that 818 of the 7,410 sexual offences had a 'positive outcome'. It is important to clarify that this term does not necessarily equate to a criminal conviction. Instead, it can encompass scenarios where victims have received necessary support or where interventions have reduced the risk of future harm, reflecting a broader approach to addressing these cases beyond just prosecutions.
The case against Andrew Dent highlights ongoing challenges in combating sexual violence, particularly in contexts involving digital platforms like dating sites. As the trial approaches, authorities continue to monitor and respond to the increasing rates of sexual offences in the area.
