Man accused of pulling schoolgirl, 15, into sea and raping her at Bournemouth beach

A 19-year-old man has been charged by police with the alleged rape of a schoolgirl in the sea during a busy summer day at a popular UK beach resoort.

Dorset Police received a report that a 15-year-old girl had been attacked in the water near to the Oceanarium in Bournemouth at 4pm on Sunday 18 July 2021.

Gabriel Marinoaica, of Darlastan, Walsall, has been ordered to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on 16 June to face a charge of rape and four counts of sexual assault.

Dorset Police said the girl was playing with a ball with her friends when it landed in front of the man, who told her he was travelling to Birmingham. The suspect then threw the ball back to one of the group and began chatting to the victim, before allegedly pulling her deeper into the sea and raping her.

A force spokesman said: “A man is due to appear in court in connection with the reported rape of a teenage girl at Bournemouth beach. Detectives from Dorset Police’s major crime investigation team (MCIT) have been carrying out detailed inquiries into the report that a 15-year-old girl was raped in the sea near to the Oceanarium at round 4pm on Sunday July 18 2021.

“As part of the investigation, a 19-year-old man from the Walsall area in the West Midlands was arrested in connection with the incident. He has now been issued with a postal requisition to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday June 16 2023 for an offence of rape and four counts of sexual assault.”

The alleged victim bravely spoke out about the attack and recalled how it left her in tears, saying she now feels vulnerable and frightened to go out. In her statement read out on BBC 1’s Crimewatch Live, she said: “I was in tears. Since it happened I’ve changed a lot - I can’t face going out and I feel frightened and vulnerable. I am so scared that people will judge me for what has happened. I didn’t ask for this."

Detective Inspector Mark Jenkins, of MCIT, said the force takes all reports of rape and sexual offences “extremely seriously” and will ensure victims are fully supported. He added: “In this case, extensive and lengthy inquiries, followed by a detailed submission to the Crown Prosecution Service, have led to them authorising charges in this case.

“We have kept the victim and their family closely informed throughout and will continue this support through the court processes. This matter is now the subject of court proceedings, and it would therefore be inappropriate for us to comment any further at this stage.

“It is vital that the judicial process is allowed to follow its course and I would like to remind the public that there should be no commentary or sharing of information online or on social media that could potentially prejudice these proceedings.”