NOTTINGHAMSHIRE RAPIST ANDRE IVANOV GETS NINE-YEAR SENTENCE AFTER STREET STALKING AND ASSAULT
Police who used CCTV to trap a dangerous rapist have branded the crime "despicable" as he begins a lengthy custodial sentence.Andre Ivanov was arrested and lied in interview - claiming the woman had sex with him.
But from the footage of the streets of Newark, detectives put together an alarming picture of Ivanov stalking two women - one who he targeted as his victim.
He was easily identifiable from the white collar on his coat as he followed one lady in Newark town centre for 12 minutes just before 12 midnight on October 21 last year.
She headed along Bar Gate and Mill Gate, Newark, as she walked alone.
He followed and went in front of her at one stage, before she crossed.
The defendant did not attack her but the judge who sentenced him for the double rape of his ultimate victim said he was clearly looking for a victim and he was sure Ivanov was dangerous.
Read more: Rapist stalked and abducted woman off street after night out in Nottinghamshire "I am sure there is a significant risk to members of the public, namely women, of serious harm from you, specifically in respect of serious sexual offences by the pre-sentence report," said Judge James Sampson, who sentenced him to nine years in custody and five on extended licence on release.
After the hearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday (July 19), Nottinghamshire Police revealed the extent of the investigation which brought him to justice.
Ivanov, now 19, of Edwin Place, North Gate, Newark, ignored his victim's pleas as he dragged her off the street and raped her in a secluded spot at an electricity sub station in Portland Street.
An investigation was launched by Public Protection detectives, who uncovered CCTV showing the attack on October 22, 2022, as well as footage of the sexual predator following the other woman for a lengthy period earlier that night.
Following extensive inquiries, Ivanov was quickly identified as the man featured in the CCTV footage and was arrested.
Despite the victim initially choosing not to engage with police, the speed with which detectives were able to identify and arrest her attacker encouraged her to talk about what happened.
This played a crucial role in helping police charge Ivanov, with the woman revealing how the support she received from officers made her feel comfortable enough to assist the investigation.
She said: “I don’t think I would’ve been able to come forward, had I not received the support I did from the officers who came to visit me multiple times to check I was okay.
“They made sure I was always aware of how the investigation was going, and their compassionate manner really gave me the strength to speak about what happened.
“It also helped massively that the investigation moved so quickly and he was arrested, as I don’t know whether I’d have been able to handle it if it had gone on for a while, so I would have probably left it.
I can’t thank the police enough for everything they’ve done for me, and I’d urge anyone else who has gone through something like this to speak to the police, so that they can help.” Ivanov pleaded guilty to two counts of rape during an appearance at Nottingham Crown Court on 11 April 2023.
Detective Constable Charlotte Leigh, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Public Protection team, said: “I’d like to personally thank the victim for showing the strength to come forward and talk to us about what happened to her.
Her account played a monumental role in allowing us to ensure Ivanov was not able to get away with this despicable crime.
“Ivanov is a dangerous man, who doesn’t belong anywhere near our communities, so we’re pleased to see that he’s now been punished for what he did.” Detective Inspector Dan Holloway, of Nottinghamshire Police, added: “Ivanov’s actions that night were horrific and have rightly led to him being locked up and taken away from our streets.
“I can only imagine how hard it must have been for the victim to relive what happened to her, so I’d like to thank her for assisting us with our investigation.
“That she felt able to come forward is testament to the support provided to her by our officers, as well as the tenacity of the investigators in progressing this investigation so quickly and convicting a very dangerous man.
Detectives from our Public Protection teams work tirelessly to investigate any cases of rape or sexual abuse that we receive, and it is thanks to this commitment that people like Ivanov are brought to justice.
It is extremely important to us at Nottinghamshire Police that survivors feel able to reach out to us for support.
If this has happened to you, please contact us so that we can help – we will listen and do everything in our powers to ensure those responsible don’t get away with it.
