POLICE have detailed how a sex attacker who attempted to rape a woman in her Bournemouth home was brought to face justice.

Deividas Zilinskas, aged 23,  approached his victim, followed her home and forced her way into her property in the middle of the nigh in July this year.

As reported, Zilinskas, of Coleman Road, Bournemouth, was jailed for 11 years at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, Decmeber 10, after admitting charges of attempted rape, assault by penetration and three counts of sexual assault at a previous hearing.

Dorset Police received a report at 3.25am on Wednesday, July 7, from the victim, stating that she was in an address and a man had been in her house had tried to rape her.

She described in the call how she had been walking in the area of Charminster area when the man had started to walk with her.

She felt uncomfortable and managed to get away from him and hid in a garden, but when she continued walking the man re-appeared and continued to walk with her.

He touched her inappropriately on two occasions before forcing his way into the address and subjecting her to a further sexual assault.

While on the call to police, the victim – aged in her 20s – explained that she had eventually managed to get the man out of her house and had called the police straight away. Officers arrived and carried out a search of the area, but the man was not located.

The woman managed to record 27 minutes of the attack on her mobile phone, in which she could clearly be heard saying “No” to Zilinskas 141 times, and “get out of my house” no less than 183 times.

Photograph and rucksack key to enquries

An investigation was launched by Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT), which included an extensive trawl of CCTV footage.  An image of the suspect, carrying a distinctive rucksack was captured.

Officers carried out house-to-house enquiries, showing residents a poster with a CCTV image of the suspect that they had obtained.

It was from this that a member of the public indicated that they recognised the male.

Police attended the defendant’s address and found a rucksack matching one they had seen the suspect wearing in the CCTV.

Zilinskas was arrested and forensic evidence was subsequently obtained linking him to the incident.

'A truly harrowing ordeal'

Detective Inspector Simon Huxter, of MCIT, said: “Deividas Zilinskas subjected his victim to a truly harrowing ordeal. The victim showed tremendous courage throughout the incident and even managed to record part of her interaction with Zilinskas on her mobile phone, which proved to be compelling evidence. 

“Zilinskas was unknown to her and thankfully, serious crimes of this nature are incredibly rare.

“Through our detailed investigative work and extensive local enquiries, we were able to positively identify Zilinskas and apprehend him so he could face the consequences of his abhorrent actions.

“It is completely unacceptable for a young woman to be subjected to any type of sexual attack. Dorset Police remains absolutely committed to protecting everyone from violence, harassment and abuse and we will do everything we can to bring offenders such as Zilinskas to justice. This case demonstrates that offenders who commit these kinds of offences will rightly face a significant period behind bars.

"As always, we encourage anyone who has been the victim of rape, sexual assault, abuse or harassment to have the confidence to report it to us, we are here for you.  In addition, if anyone is ever concerned as to the safety of another, please do report your concerns to the police.”

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