Man found guilty of teenage girl's rape in sea off Bournemouth beach
20 year old Gabriel Marinoaica will be sentenced next month.
Last updated 15th Apr 2024
A 20 year old man's been found guilty of the serious sexual assault of a teenage girl, in the sea off Bournemouth beach.
Gabriel Marinoaica from Darlaston, Walsall has been convicted of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
The jury at Bournemouth Crown Court heard the victim had been dragged out of her depth in the water and attacked near the Oceanarium in July 2021.
The victim, who was 15 years old at the time, was playing with a ball with her friends in the water when it landed in front of the defendant.
She went over and asked for it back, which led to the defendant engaging her in conversation.
He then pulled her deeper out into the sea until she could not touch the floor before he sexually assaulted her and then raped her.
The victim was only able to escape when a friend of his approached them and she scrambled back to the beach and her own group of friends.
She told them what had happened and they helped her get away from the beach to safety.
Dorset Police tell us she was deeply shocked and upset by what he had done but was able to tell close family about what had happened.
A full investigation was launched, led by detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT).
A DNA profile of the offender was obtained and, following detailed and lengthy enquiries Marinoaica was arrested at his home address on Saturday 11th June 2022 and subsequently charged.
The judge, Susan Evans KC, described the attack as a 'brazen thing to have done in broad daylight on the beach'.
Detective Inspector Mark Jenkins, of MCIT, said:
“We have carried out extensive and detailed enquiries to identify the culprit for this horrific sexual attack and I want to praise the young victim in the case for the courage she has shown throughout the investigation and court process.
“I hope the bravery she has shown will encourage other victims of sexual offences to have the strength to come forward in the knowledge that they will be supported, and we will do everything we can to ensure offenders face justice.
“I want to thank all those involved in this complex investigation and the Crown Prosecution Service for its assistance in bringing the case to trial and securing the conviction of Gabriel Marinoaica.”
Marinoaica will be sentenced next month (Friday 19th April).