ADRIAN HORWAT FROM SOUTHEND SENTENCED TO 7 YEARS FOR RAPE AND FLEEING COURT

In a case that has drawn significant attention in Southend, Adrian Horwat, aged 21, has been sentenced to a total of seven years in prison following his conviction for a serious sexual offence. The incident in question involved the rape of a girl under the age of 16, which took place in a car park located on Baxter Avenue, Southend, on April 26, 2014.

Horwat appeared before Southend Crown Court on Friday, July 1, for sentencing procedures. Despite having been convicted on March 14 of the same year, he had previously left the court premises while on bail, before the jury could deliver verdicts on four additional charges. These charges were later dismissed, as he was found not guilty of them. His departure from court while on bail was a breach of legal protocol, and it was this breach that led to further consequences.

Following his escape from the court, police swiftly apprehended Horwat on Sunday, April 3. He was remanded into custody and remained in detention until the sentencing hearing. The court heard that, in addition to the seven-year sentence for the rape, Horwat was also sentenced to an additional eight weeks in prison for failing to appear in court, with this sentence to run consecutively to the primary sentence.

Furthermore, the court mandated that Horwat be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life. A restraining order was also issued, explicitly prohibiting him from contacting the victim directly or indirectly. The court was informed that the probation service had assessed Horwat’s attitude towards the offence. They found that he blamed the victim for what happened and attempted to downplay the severity of his actions. The probation report described his behaviour as reckless and indicative of a predatory lifestyle, highlighting the risk of reoffending.

In the aftermath of Horwat’s disappearance, police issued publicity to locate him, which led to further investigations. Two individuals remain on police bail under suspicion of breaching the anonymity of the rape victim, in violation of section five of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992. An 18-year-old man from Westcliff and a 21-year-old woman from Southend are both on bail until August 16, pending further inquiries.

Horwat’s case continues to be a stark reminder of the importance of justice and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to protect victims and prevent reoffending in the Southend area.