ROMANIAN NATIONAL CHARGED WITH RAPE AND ASSAULT IN GREAT YARMOUTH

Madalin Ilinca, a Romanian national, has appeared before Norwich Magistrates' Court charged with the rape of a woman in Great Yarmouth between 15 and 16 May. He also faces two counts of sexual assault in Great Yarmouth during the same period. The complainant in both counts is said to be a woman aged 16 or over. Ilinca, of Stafford Road, Great Yarmouth, was not asked to enter pleas to the charges and was remanded into custody, with no application for bail made.

Norfolk Police had been investigating reports that two girls were raped on South Beach Parade in Great Yarmouth in the early hours of 16 May. Officers stopped Ilinca at the port of Dover as he re-entered the United Kingdom, after which he was charged. He appeared in the dock wearing a cream-coloured hoody and was assisted by an interpreter over a video-link. At one point during the hearing he appeared tearful and said "please".

A second man, arrested on suspicion of rape in connection with the same incident in Northamptonshire on 17 May, remains on bail until 10 August while inquiries continue. Norfolk Police described that individual as being in his 30s. Ilinca is due to appear before Norwich Crown Court on 6 July.