Bournemouth ‘rape’: Man, 19, appears in court after ‘attacking girl, 15, in sea in front of thousands of holidaymakers’
A MAN, 19, has appeared in court after allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl in the sea in front of thousands of holidaymakers.
The teenager was playing with a ball with friends at Bournemouth beach in Dorset in July 2021 when she was allegedly attacked in the water.
She later made a complaint that she had been raped, sparking a major police investigation and an appeal to track down the suspect on BBC’s Crimewatch.
Gabriel Marinoaica, 19, from Darlaston, near Walsall, West Midlands, appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court today via a video link charged in connection with the incident.
He sat next to his lawyer dressed in a black Nike T-shirt and spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth during a five minute hearing.
In all, five charges that Marinoaica faces were read out by the court clerk. They are four counts of sexual assault and one of rape.
The case was sent straight to Bournemouth Crown Court but it was indicated Marinoaica would be pleading not guilty to all charges.
The alleged rape happened in the sea at about 4pm on July 18, 2021, the hottest day of the year at the time, when the beach was packed with tourists.
Marinoaica will appear for a preliminary hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court on July 20.