Marius Prodan

On 23 May 2019, Marius Prodan, a 25-year-old man from Duval Place, Bagshot, Surrey, committed a serious sexual offence against a woman following their visit to the Old Ticket Hall venue in Windsor. After leaving the venue together and walking towards the river, staff became concerned for the victim's welfare and alerted CCTV operators to monitor the situation. The operators promptly contacted the police, who conducted an area search and located Prodan and the victim. At that point, the victim appeared unconscious, and subsequent forensic tests on her mouth revealed seminal DNA evidence linking Prodan to the assault.

The incident, which involved one count of oral rape, was investigated by Thames Valley Police. Prodan stood trial at Reading Crown Court, where on 11 January 2023, he was found guilty by a majority verdict. He was acquitted of an additional charge of sexual assault by touching. The court sentenced Prodan to a total of eight years and four months' imprisonment for the rape conviction.

Detective Constable Gary Holliday, the investigating officer based at Maidenhead police station, commented on the case: 'I am pleased that after a lengthy investigation, Prodan has been brought to justice. I’d like to thank the victim for her support throughout this investigation and her bravery. Thames Valley Police will take all reports of sexual assault and rape seriously and will work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.' This case underscores the vigilance of venue staff and the rapid response of law enforcement in protecting the public and securing justice for victims of sexual offences.