Home   Ashford   News   Article

DNA 'links railway worker to rape'

RAILWAY worker Antoni Imiela's alleged fourth victim broke down in court as she relived the moments she was raped twice.

She told the jury how her attacker callously remarked during an horrific 30-minute ordeal: "I won't hurt you physically. This will just leave you emotionally scarred."

The woman, who was aged 18 at the time of the attack in Surrey in July 2002, was giving evidence at Maidstone Crown Court.

Mr Imiela, 49, of Heathside, Appledore, near Ashford, is said to have grabbed her from behind and forced her off a footpath into undergrowth and attacked her, before leaving her tied up.

The married father of one is charged with raping her twice. The prosecution allege the then teenager was his third victim in one week and fourth overall in a spate of rapes.

Visibly shaking and upset, she said how she begged her attacker not to hurt her, fearing for her life as he told her not to scream or look at him.

"I thought I was going to die, I thought he was going to kill me," she said. "I was saying quite a few times 'no, please don't'. I felt like I wanted to die and then he just carried on raping me.

"I was thinking about him and what type of person he must be to do this to me. I just wanted to go home and I wanted my mum."

The attacker commented on her body, forced her to kiss him and smile for him and gloated: "It feels good doesn't it."

During the assault he stopped and bragged to his helpless victim: "Don't try anything. If anyone comes I will take them down because I can."

The woman said how she agreed to his demands in the hope that he would spare her life.

Prosecutor Mark Dennis also highlighted a phrase the attacker is said to have used which was identical to something said to the 10-year-old girl who was raped on the Stanhope Estate, Ashford, in November 2001. She was said to be Mr Imiela's first victim.

When he had finished his attack, the man used the girl's top, which had been pulled over her face, to wipe her chest, face, tongue and inside her mouth.

"He said 'I'm going to take your T-shirt with me and everything that's got me on it'," she told the court. I'm making sure none of my hair is left on you. They use DNA nowadays."

He then told her: "There's no point telling anyone about this. It won't make any difference. I will be long gone."

The woman was left with her hands tied up, using her headphone leads, but after some time ran to a friend's house to raise the alarm. She spoke to police the next day, but had showered before she was examined.

She identified her attacker as a man she had seen walking along a road behind her as she went down the footpath moments before the rape, describing him as aged between 30 and late 40s, with very short or shaved hair, wearing a white or blue top.

Mr Imiela denies nine charges of rape, one of attempted rape, indecent assault and kidnap between November 2001 and November 2002.

The trial continues.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More