Man admits raping teenager on night out in Aberdeen

Published 13th Nov 2019

A Romanian criminal who subjected a teenager on her first night out in a city centre with friends to a horrific rape ordeal was facing a lengthy jail sentence today.

Sex predator Daniel Teglas found the intoxicated girl on her own after she became separated from her companions and dragged her to a secluded spot where he attacked her.

After the rape Teglas abandoned his 18-year-old victim in a flower bed where she was found by passersby.

Advocate depute Sean Smith QC told the High Court in Edinburgh: "The complainer was distraught and in pain."

Teglas, 20, admitted assaulting the teenage and raping her on July 27 this year at the roof area of the Bon-Accord Centre, in Aberdeen, when he appeared in court today. He followed proceedings with the aid of an interpreter.

He lifted her up and dragged her to the sheltered spot before throwing her into bushes and removing her lower clothing.

Teglas, who has a previous conviction for an offence similar to theft by housebreaking from a court in France, arrived in the UK with his wife weeks before the attack.

Mr Smith said that on the evening of July 26 the victim visited bars and clubs in Aberdeen city centre with friends.

The prosecutor said: "The complainer had only recently turned 18 and it was the first time she had been on a night out in town with her friends."

By the end of the night out she was intoxicated and had become detached from the others.

The advocate depute said she was caught on CCTV walking unsteadily alone before sitting down in a doorway.

Mr Smith said: "It was in this state that she attracted the attention of the accused whose movements were also captured on CCTV. The accused approached the complainer, but not before allowing a member of the public to pass."

Teglas said to her: "You ok." But before she could respond he grabbed her by the arm and picked her up and took her to the top deck of the Bon-Accord Centre.

The victim's legs could be seen to buckle under her on CCTV footage, the court was told.

The teenager later said her legs felt like "wet spaghetti" and would not bear her weight.

Teglas took her to an area next to shrubs and trees and sat her down. He then lifted her up as she went limp in his arms "like a rag doll", said Mr Smith.

She felt the bushes on her back and the attacker pulled down her leggings and pants before raping her.

Teglas walked away in the direction he had come from, leaving his victim lying in a flower bed.

"The accused did not acknowledge the complainer in anyway and did not try to help her to her feet," said the advocate depute.

The victim was left lying unmoving, but was eventually helped to her feet and comforted by three members of the public. A doctor who examined her found she had sustained abrasions and a bruise.

Police traced Teglas to an address in George Street, in Aberdeen, using CCTV.

He was taken to Kittybrewster police station where a forensic medical examiner asked him when he last had sex to which he replied: "About 4 am with that girl." He said he did not know the girl and did not use a condom.

Teglas was later interviewed by police. Mr Smith said: "He largely provided a 'no comment' response, but when asked if he felt any guilt or remorse he replied 'yes'."

Defence counsel David Moggach said a background report would be required before Teglas can be sentenced.

Judge Gordon Liddle remanded Teglas, who is currently detained in Polmont Young Offenders' Institution, in custody ahead of sentencing next month.

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