Alin-Vasile Iercosan, 27, from Bath Road, Bridgwater, was sentenced to over seven years in prison after dragging a 25-year-old woman into a parking area and assaulting her in the early hours of Saturday 28 January.
The chilling attack was caught on CCTV, showing Iercosan following the woman as she walked home before dragging her off the street into a parking lot off Friarn Street where the assault took place.
Today, Friday 21 April, Iercosan was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court. In addition to his prison term, he faces an extended licence period and a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The overwhelming evidence, including CCTV footage, led to an early guilty plea.
The victim made a powerful plea to the court, stating: “I am here today to try and regain some control after you stole it all from me. I’m begging that today will bring me a tiny amount of closure. You will only get so many years in prison but… no amount of time you get today will ever justify what you did to me.”
Detective Inspector Hadley Rides, who leads Operation Soteria Bluestone—a specialist unit tackling rape and serious sexual assault—praised the victim’s bravery. She said: “The CCTV we obtained chillingly shows Iercosan’s predatory behaviour. He waited on Bridgwater’s streets, deliberately followed, and attacked a lone woman. Iercosan admitted his crime early due to the overwhelming evidence. The quick work of detectives and local policing teams identified him fast. However, this man wouldn’t be off our streets if it wasn’t for the victim’s strength and determination. She faced him in court today and showed she is much stronger than a man who fled the country after the attack to evade justice.”
While stranger attacks like this remain rare, most sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim. An Independent Sexual Violence Advisor supported the woman throughout the investigation and court proceedings. She continues to receive counselling and ongoing help to aid her recovery.
Originally published by UKNIP.
