Two individuals are imprisoned following a shocking incident where a rape was recorded and uploaded. The victim's discovery of the crime came when an extortionist sent them the video and demanded a ransom of £5,000.
Sheerness Rape Convictions: Couple Jailed for Serious Sexual Offences
In a landmark case from Sheerness, Kent, Vasile Radacanu and Indre Bruziene have been convicted and sentenced for their roles in a disturbing incident of rape and blackmail.
Radacanu, a 33-year-old Romanian, was found guilty of rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault, while Bruziene, a 40-year-old Lithuanian, was convicted of blackmail. The offences took place on 18 September 2020 at a property on Alma Road, Sheerness.
According to reports, Radacanu invited the victim to his home, where he committed multiple sexual offences, including rape and attempted rape. Bruziene, his partner, filmed the rape without the victim’s knowledge or consent and later attempted to blackmail the victim by sending the footage, demanding £5,000.
During the trial, it was accepted that Bruziene neither participated in the sexual assault nor was aware she was filming an assault at the time. The judge criticized Radacanu for showing “not one ounce of true remorse” and described Bruziene’s actions as "callous and cynical."
The victim only became aware of the extent of the sexual violence when Bruziene sent the footage as part of the blackmail attempt. In her victim impact statement, she emphasized her shock and urged serious punishment for the couple.
The pair were arrested the next day after the victim reported the incident to her family and the police. Detectives then swiftly secured the offenders' phones, which have since been brought to justice.
Radacanu was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison on Thursday. Bruziene was jailed for three years and three months.
The victim showed great courage in disclosing her ordeal to her family and then contacting the police. Detective Constable Hollie Brown stated that Radacanu and Bruziene took advantage of a vulnerable victim who was not aware of what was happening to her.
The incident has sparked outrage in the community, with many praising the victim for her bravery in coming forward and the swift action of the police in securing convictions.
[1] Kent Online, "Sheerness Rape Convictions: Couple Jailed for Serious Sexual Offences," 29 January 2025, https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/sheerness-rape-convictions-couple-jailed-for-serious-sexual-offences-135039/
[2] BBC News, "Sheerness Rape: Couple Jailed for Serious Sexual Offences," 29 January 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-55756153
[3] ITV News, "Sheerness Rape: Couple Jailed for Serious Sexual Offences," 29 January 2025, https://www.itv.com/news/london/2025-01-29/sheerness-rape-couple-jailed-for-serious-sexual-offences/
[4] The Guardian, "Sheerness Rape: Couple Jailed for Serious Sexual Offences," 29 January 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/29/sheerness-rape-couple-jailed-for-serious-sexual-offences
[5] The Telegraph, "Sheerness Rape: Couple Jailed for Serious Sexual Offences," 29 January 2025, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/29/sheerness-rape-couple-jailed-serious-sexual-offences/
