Romanian man claimed to be ‘white British’ after attempted rape in seaside town

A Romanian man wo claimed to be “white British” has been jailed for eight years for the attempted rape and sexual assault of a woman in Bournemouth. Alexandru Emilian Muresan, who is a Romanian national and lied about his ethnicity to the police, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court after being convicted by a jury of the two offences which happened on January 29, 2023.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “The woman, aged in her 20s, was walking in the Lansdowne area after a night out in the early hours when Alexandru Emilian Muresan, aged 32 and of Bournemouth, approached her in his car. The defendant offered to give her a lift home before parking outside her address and sexually assaulting her in the vehicle.

“The incident was reported to police and detectives from Bournemouth CID led an extensive investigation to identify the vehicle involved and, as a result, Muresan – a Romanian national who gave his self-defined ethnicity as white British – was arrested.”

The spokesman added: “The bravery of a victim of a sexual attack in Bournemouth has helped investigators in their relentless efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.

“The victim attended The Shores Sexual Assault Referral Centre and also received support from an independent sexual violence adviser from the Stars Dorset charity, as well as a dedicated police sexual offences liaison officer.

“Further detailed enquiries were conducted to compile evidence against the defendant and he was subsequently charged with attempted rape and sexual assault by penetration.”

Detective Constable Hele Leech-Wilkinson, of Bournemouth CID, said: “The victim in this case has demonstrated exceptional strength throughout our investigation – from coming forward to report the matter to supporting our investigation and giving evidence for the trial.

“Thanks to the courage she has displayed, we were able to secure a conviction for this sexual offender and he now finds himself behind bars.

“I hope the example she has set helps other victims of sexual offences find the courage to come forward in the knowledge that they will be fully supported and we will carry out a meticulous investigation to bring offenders to justice.”