Leicester sex attacker sentenced after airport arrest
- Published
CCTV shows sex offender discarding gag
A man has been jailed after he dragged his victim into a bush as she walked home from work in Leicester.
Emil Emilov approached his 19-year-old victim in New Walk, in the city centre, before dragging her into a bush, gagging her, and sexually assaulting her, police said.
He was caught fleeing the scene on CCTV in the early hours of 28 May 2023.
On Thursday, Emilov was jailed for more than seven years and placed on the sex offenders register for life.
The 25-year-old ran from the scene when a group of people walked past and made his way back to his home in Rosebery Street in North Evington, Leicestershire Police said.
CCTV footage also showed Emilov discarding a rag police said he used to gag the woman.
Emil Emilov, 25, was caught on CCTV as he ran from the scene
The force said during its investigation, it was revealed that Emilov, a Bulgarian national, had left the UK.
He was arrested on his arrival in the UK at Luton Airport on 6 November and a DNA sample test eventually linked him to the attack.
In December, he pleaded guilty to one count of assault by penetration.
He was sentenced to a total of 88 months behind bars at Leicester Crown Court.
Det Con Lewis McMenamin, of Leicestershire Police, praised the victim's "bravery".
He said: "I hope that the immense strength she has shown during this investigation can inspire other victims of sexual abuse to come forward."
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