ROMANIAN MAN JAILED FOR ATTEMPTED RAPE IN BURY ST EDMUNDS
A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to six years and eight months in prison after admitting the attempted rape of a 25-year-old woman in the Shakers Lane area of Bury St Edmunds in May 2015.Andu Nedelcu, originally from Călineşti, Arges County, Romania, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday, 5 April, where he pleaded guilty to attempted rape.
He had also previously pleaded guilty to sexual assault, causing a female to engage in sexual activity, and assault related to the same incident.
The attack occurred around 10.20 pm on Monday, 11 May.
The police investigation involved a major search using police dog units and a helicopter after the woman was grabbed and dragged into bushes by a man described as being in his late teens.
She described him as saying ‘hello’ before attacking her.
He forced her into sexual activity and fled.
Despite extensive searches, the offender was not initially located, but forensic evidence and CCTV footage helped identify Nedelcu.
DNA evidence from the scene matched his profile, and further investigations revealed he had been in the area at the time of the attack.
He had left the country shortly after, flying from Luton Airport back to Romania.
Nedelcu was arrested in Romania on 22 January 2016 and extradited to the UK, where he was charged and appeared in court.
Detective Chief Inspector Eamonn Bridger emphasized the seriousness of the crime, the bravery of the victim, and the thoroughness of the police investigation, which ultimately led to Nedelcu's conviction and sentencing.
