Guilty: the rapist who denied it was him
A man who dragged a young woman into a Scarborough alleyway and raped her has been found guilty, despite denying that he was the attacker.
A rapist who dragged a young woman into an alleyway has been found guilty of the terrifying attack after brazenly chancing his luck in a trial despite a stack of evidence weighed against him. Mitko Naskov, 19, hunted the woman down in the street before pouncing on her, lifting her off her feet and forcing her into the corner off North Street, Scarborough.
On Tuesday, the fourth day of the trial, the jury found Naskov guilty of rape and attempted rape as the defendant bowed his head in the dock. Naskov’s barrister Laura Addy asked for an adjournment before sentence for probation and psychiatric reports.
Judge Simon Hickey agreed “given (Naskov’s) age and the extremely-serious nature of the attack”. He also noted that ‘stranger rape’ was still an extremely-rare occurrence in the UK.
“It’s rare that the court hears of a (victim) being attacked and raped (in this way),” added Mr Hickey.
“The sentence is going to be measured in years.”
The judge said one of his chief considerations had to be whether Naskov posed a danger to the public.
He told Naskov: “The sentence can only be measured in years because it was an attack on a completely-innocent woman who was just going about her business in Scarborough town centre.”
Naskov was remanded in custody until sentence on March 11.
During the trial, the jury heard how the woman begged him to stop, but Naskov told her, ‘It’s ok’, before trying to rape her again.
He then ran off, whipping his shirt off. CCTV footage captured him fleeing, with his bare torso revealing a “large tattoo” and he was wearing a baseball cap and Bermuda-style shorts – evidence which was later used to identify, charge and ultimately convict him.
Police arrested Naskov at his flat in Pavilion Square, Scarborough, about 15 hours later. But the Bulgarian national refused to co-operate and declined to answer questions. He also refused to undergo an “intimate” DNA test or give a fingerprint.
He was charged with the rape and attempted rape of the woman, who was found in a highly distressed state in the alleyway next to the Black Lion pub.
Harrowing CCTV footage of the rape was shown to jurors who were also shown Naskov’s movements in the hours and minutes leading up to the attack at about 3am on August 12 last year.
CCTV footage gleaned from various locations in and around Scarborough town centre showed a man in multi-coloured Bermuda shorts walking behind the woman, before quickening his stride and eventually jogging up behind the victim, who was walking home alone following a night out with friends.
Judge Hickey praised Scarborough Police and in particular five investigating officers for their diligence in bringing Naskov to justice.
He conferred a commendation on the five officers, including Detective Inspector Glenn Kelly and Detective Sergeant Stephen Paxton.
The judge also praised the “public-spiritedness” of three women who went to the aid of the “very-distressed” victim and who will receive a combined reward of £500 from public funds.
Carolyn McLoughlin showed bravery “beyond the call of duty”, the judge said, when she chased Naskov through the town. She was awarded £300.
Sam McCormack and Chloe Stoor will each receive £100 for their actions in helping the teenage victim.