Locations
Charlotte Street, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 & Alma Road, Sheerness, Kent, ME12
Description
A woman who was sexually abused by a rapist whilst his partner filmed her ordeal in Sheerness has seen the pair jailed.
On 18 September 2020, Indre Bruziene and her partner Vasile Radacanu invited the victim to their address, where they consumed some alcoholic drinks.
The victim became intoxicated and Radacanu took the opportunity to rape her whilst she was unable to consent and was at one point unconscious.
Abuse filmed
Whilst this took place Bruziene filmed the abuse through a window and then from inside the house. It was apparent Radacanu was aware his actions were being filmed as he gestured to the camera several times.
The victim awoke on the following morning in her own bed at home with no memory of what had happened to her.
On 15 March 2021, she received a call from Bruziene who accused the woman of breaking up her family. Bruziene also sent footage of the rape incident and demanded £5,000 or it would be sent to the victim’s husband.
Arrested
The distressed victim refused to pay the money and informed her family before contacting the police. Radacanu, who is Romanian, and Bruziene, from Lithuania, were both arrested the following day.
Investigators seized their mobile phones and, following an investigation, Radacanu was charged with two rapes, attempted rape and two sexual assaults. Bruziene was charged with blackmail.
The pair pleaded not guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and, following a trial, were convicted of the indictments on 28 January 2025.
Jailed
On Thursday 14 August, Radacanu, 33, of Charlotte Street, Sittingbourne was sentenced to 12 years and six months’ imprisonment. Bruziene, 40, of Alma Road, Sheerness was jailed for three years and three months.
Detective Constable Hollie Brown said:
‘The criminal actions of Radacanu and Bruziene were unspeakably vile as they took advantage of a vulnerable victim who was not aware of what was happening to her.
‘As soon as the victim received the video of her abuse from Bruziene she showed great courage in disclosing her ordeal to her family and then contacting the police. Detectives then swiftly secured the offenders phones and they have now, quite rightly, been brought to justice.’