A team of police officers were applauded for their "robust approach" in bringing to justice an American gaming fanatic who tried to kill an Epsom woman.
The eight officers were celebrated at Surrey Police’s Chief Constable Commendation ceremony at the Refectory at Guildford Cathedral on Thursday September 24.
They were commended for their "attention to detail" over a six-month, international investigation which ended with jealous online gamer Shane Coffey receiving two life sentences.
Coffey, then 19, flew over from America on Good Friday 2014 with the intention of killing Fahra Dowlut, who was 18 at the time of the attack.
He forced his way into her first-floor bedroom in Hook Road at 3am and repeatedly stabbed her and her brother Mohammad Dowlut, then 22, who managed to help fight him off.
Mohammad’s bravery was recognised at the Surrey Police Chief Constable's Commendation Ceremony held earlier this year.
Coffey pleaded guilty to attempted murder in November 2014, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and aggravated burglary.
Surrey Police said: "There were many complex obstacles and logistic and legal intricacies of this international investigation however the officers and staff involved worked tirelessly on the case for six months.
"The outstanding quality of this investigation, the attention to detail and relentless, robust approach meant the offender, who had made repeated denials, had no option left but to plead guilty and as a result of this plea, received two life sentences."
At Coffey’s sentencing in November 2014, Judge Recorder Christopher Critchlow said: "It is difficult to imagine a more nightmarish situation for a young female asleep in her own bedroom and woken to find herself being attacked by a man intent on killing her."
He praised her brother's courage, saying: "It may have been a natural response from a brother but it was courageous given he was naked and found himself facing you with a large knife.
"He didn't back off and he saved his sister's life."
Coffey had become friends with Ms Dowlut about four years prior to the attack through playing Xbox games online.
When she ended their virtual relationship, Coffey flew to the UK with a murder kit.
He checked into Premier Inn in Epsom on April 17 2014 before heading to the Dowlut’s family home, hiding in the garden, smashing her window with a brick and stabbing her.
Chief Inspector Antony Archibald, Detective Inspector Charlotte Rimmer, Detective Sergeant Ian Cherrington, Chief Constable Lynne Owens, Investigating Officer Andy Hart, Detective Constables Stephanie Madeley, Jason Kelly, and Julie Daubeney, were all praised for "overcoming many complex obstacles and logistic and legal intricacies" in the case.
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