Surrey man who held woman prisoner and left her 'trapped and lost' avoids jail

A Surrey man who held a woman prisoner and left her “trapped and lost” avoided immediate jail after sentencing at Guildford Crown Court. Stephen Oyston, 66, from Godalming, was convicted of false imprisonment on Friday, June 19. The court heard that in January 2023 he prevented the survivor from leaving a property by taking her keys and electronic devices, repeatedly blocking her exit, and threatening to falsely report her if she contacted police. Even after her car keys were returned, the tyres had been deflated, leaving her unable to depart by vehicle. An overnight ordeal was partially captured on internal CCTV. Oyston received a nine-month prison term suspended for two years, along with 150 hours of unpaid work, 12 mental health treatment sessions, and a five-year restraining order.