A 20-year-old man from Walsall, West Midlands, has been sentenced to six and a half years in a young offender institution for the rape and sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl on Bournemouth beach. The incident, described by the judge as a 'frightening' and 'brazen' attack, took place in broad daylight on a busy summer afternoon, undermining public confidence in the safety of popular seaside locations.
The attack occurred on Sunday, 18 July 2021, when the victim was in the sea with friends at the Dorset resort. According to court proceedings at Bournemouth Crown Court, the girl was playing with a ball that drifted towards Gabriel Marinoaica. Initially refusing to return it, Marinoaica then grabbed her arm and pulled her out of her depth into the water. The victim, who cannot swim, pleaded with him, but he ignored her, groping her and then raping her while covering her mouth to prevent her from screaming or seeking help. Prosecutor Ellie Fargin detailed how Marinoaica's actions were predatory, targeting a group of young girls and exploiting the victim's vulnerability in the water.
- Marinoaica was found guilty by a jury of three charges of sexual assault and one count of rape.
- He was acquitted of an additional charge of sexual assault by biting the victim's neck.
- Semen found on the victim's bikini matched Marinoaica's DNA, leading to his arrest 11 months after the incident.
Judge Susan Evans KC, addressing the court, emphasised the predatory nature of the offence. 'There is some predatory behaviour, having picked out a group of young girls to target,' she stated. She noted that Marinoaica had pulled the girl further out to sea, making her unable to reach the bottom, and ignored her explicit non-consent. 'You placed your hand over her mouth, you did it so she couldn’t scream or get help, you knew full well that she was not consenting,' the judge remarked. Evans highlighted that the beach should be a safe place for young people, but Marinoaica's actions shattered that security.
The court heard that Marinoaica had been questioned by police earlier in 2021 over an unrelated rape allegation, which was deemed consensual, but this prior interaction failed to deter his behaviour. Following the sentencing on 19 April 2024, Judge Evans imposed a sexual harm prevention order on Marinoaica for 20 years and required him to register on the sex offenders' register for life. In a poignant victim impact statement, the complainant described the lasting trauma: 'I have had to face and realise how my way of life has changed, I have been changed, it has left me overwhelmed. I used to have a huge love for the beach and the sea but I have lost it and I am left feeling uneasy.' She now suffers from panic attacks, nightmares, and a profound fear of water, requiring constant accompaniment when near the sea.
The case, reported by PA Media and covered in The Evening Standard, serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in public spaces. Dorset Police investigated the matter, leading to Marinoaica's conviction.