A Romanian man has been charged with rape after being intercepted by border officials at Dover as he attempted to re-enter the United Kingdom — weeks after two teenage girls were sexually assaulted on a popular Norfolk beach.
Madalin Ilinca, 34, of Stafford Road in Great Yarmouth, was stopped at the port of Dover and arrested in connection with the attack that took place at South Beach Parade in Great Yarmouth on 16 May. He was taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning before being charged on Sunday with one count of rape, one count of sexual assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault. He is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning.
Police were called to the beach on 16 May following reports that two teenage girls had been raped. Specialist officers were deployed to support both victims as officers launched a search for suspects. Chief Inspector Nick Paling said at the time: “We recognise how shocking and distressing these incidents are for the victims, their families, and the wider community.”
A second man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of rape in Northamptonshire the day after the attack was reported, on 17 May. He remains on police bail until 10 August while inquiries continue.
The fact that Ilinca was apprehended while attempting to cross back into the country at Dover will raise questions about border intelligence and the coordination between police forces and Border Force in cases of serious sexual offences involving foreign nationals.
