A 34‑year‑old Romanian man, Madalin Ilinca, was charged in Norwich Magistrates Court with the rape of a girl over 16 and two sexual assaults on a girl 16 or over, according to a police report.. The alleged offences took place in the early hours of May 16 behind a seafront Premier Inn in Great Yarmouth, where Ilinca reportedly approached a group of teenagers and assaulted them in the dunes.

May 16 Dunes Incident: Two Teens Attacked Near Premier Inn

Prosecution counsel Katherine Newson detailed the investigation, noting that the two teenage girls provided video interviews and that Ilinca followed the group before the attacks. The police press release on May 17 said the assaults occurred near the hotel’s rear, with one victim allegedly assaulted at the rear of the hotel and further incidents on the beach.

Arrest at Dover: Ilinca’s Return to the UK

Ilinca was arrested on June 5 after attempting to re‑enter the UK at the Port of Dover, having left for Romania on May 19 to visit his ill mother. He had previously been released on bail after a separate arrest in Northamptonshire on May 17. In court, Ilinca appeared wearing a grey hoodie and was assisted by a Romanian interpreter.

Legal Proceedings: Remand and Upcoming Crown Court Hearing

Magistrate Kevin Banks‑Dunnell remanded Ilinca in custody, with a hearing set for Norwich Crown Court on July 6... Defence solicitor Michael Cole declined to seek bail, citing the need for accommodation checks,while arguing that consent would be a key issue in the case.

Unanswered Questions: Motive and Evidence Details

Key questions remain about Ilinca’s motive and the extent of the evidence. the prosecution has not yet disclosed the specific video footage or the identities of the victims, and it is unclear whether the alleged assaults were part of a broader pattern of behaviour. The case also raises questions about how the police identified Ilinca as the suspect and the role of the Romanian interpreter in the court proceedings.