Man pulled 15-year-old schoolgirl out to deep water and raped her in the sea
A schoolgirl, who could not swim, was dragged out to sea and raped in a "horrific attack" during a day out playing in the water with her friends.
The 15-year-old victim had been playing in the sea in July 2021, when they began playing with a ball with another group in Bournemouth, Dorset. When her friends left the water and went back to the beach, the victim went to fetch the ball which had been picked up by Gabriel Marinoaica, 20.
Bournemouth Crown Court heard he asked the girl her age and name, before pulling her by the arm into deeper waters where he groped and raped her. The girl, who could not swim, was able to get away when one of her friends went back into the water and approached the pair.
During the trial at Bournemouth Crown Court, prosecutor Ellie Fargin said: “It was at this point the defendant pulled at [her] arm and pulled her out to sea. [She] could no longer touch the bottom, she really was in deep water. [She] told Marinoaica: 'No, get off me,' but he ignored her. He was touching her everywhere, she was uncomfortable and wanted to get out but he pulled her out further.”
The court heard Marinoaica asked the girl if she wanted to "smash", meaning to have sex with him, which the complainant said she did not want to. Marinoaica did not let go of her and kissed the victim before he raped her for about a minute, until one of her friends approached them and she was able to get away.
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Marinoaica was found guilty by a jury and will be sentenced next month (BNPS)The girl told the court she could not scream because Marinoaica had his hand over her mouth. Ms Fargin added: "He took her out of her depth, he made her vulnerable, she couldn't even swim, he might not have known that but he might have known she could not touch the bottom.
"And why did he do that? So he could do what he wanted to do. She didn't consent, and we say he knew that - he simply didn't care."
Earlier today, a jury found Marinoaica guilty of three charges of sexual assault and another charge of rape. Judge Susan Evans KC remanded the defendant in custody to be sentenced on April 19.
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."
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