Man jailed for sexual assault on teenager in Launceston

A man has been jailed for three years following what a judge described as a “sustained and terrifying attack” on a teenage girl in Launceston.

Yordan Stanchev, 26, a Bulgarian national of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court on Thursday 2nd April after pleading guilty to sexual assault. He will also be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, and a restraining order is in place to protect the 17-year-old victim. The court heard he will likely be deported after serving his sentence.

Attack in alleyway near college

The offence took place at around 9.15pm on Sunday 25th January in an alleyway near Launceston College.

The victim, who did not know Yordan Stanchev, was walking in the area when she became aware he was following her. As he sprinted towards her, she screamed and attempted to run away.

Stanchev caught up with her, pushed her against a metal fence and sexually assaulted her.

Despite being terrified, the victim fought back and managed to injure his face. It is believed that her actions, along with the possible presence of a dog walker nearby, caused Stanchev to flee the scene. The victim was then able to run to safety.

Swift police response

Police were contacted by a relative of the victim, and officers quickly attended the area to carry out a search.

The victim provided a description of her attacker, and it was discovered that Stanchev had contacted police shortly before the incident, claiming he had been attacked outside Lidl.

Officers arranged to meet him in connection with that earlier report. When located, he had a facial injury consistent with the one described by the victim.

He was arrested immediately, and checks confirmed his phone had been in the area at the time of the offence. The victim later positively identified him, leading to him being charged and remanded.

Judge praises victim’s bravery

At sentencing, Judge Simon Carr described the incident as “every woman’s worst nightmare”. He told the court that Stanchev had followed the victim into a remote area before launching the attack.

The judge said the victim showed “exceptional bravery” in fighting him off and suggested Stanchev had intended to commit an even more serious offence. He also stated that Stanchev held misogynistic views and had targeted the victim at random.

Police statement

Police Staff Investigator Jo Wilson said:

“This was an utterly terrifying attack for the victim, but thankfully stranger attacks of this nature remain rare here in Devon and Cornwall.

“I would like to thank the victim for her bravery and her prompt call to the Police which helped the officers to quickly locate and arrest the suspect a short time later.

“It was due to her actions, and possibly also the presence of a dog walker, that Stanchev did not go on to commit further sexual offences.

“We all should be able to walk freely outside whenever we wish without fear of violence or attack.

“I would like to reassure the public that Police take every report of sexual assault very seriously and we will do all we can to keep our communities safe.

“This is evidenced in the fact that Stanchev was arrested and taken into custody within hours of the offence being committed.

“As well as the victim in the case, we’d like to thank the dog walker, and other witnesses who supported the investigation.”

Support available

Support is available for anyone affected by this type of incident.

You can visit Victim Care for information on support services and guidance through the criminal justice system.

Victim Support is available on 0808 1689 111, and Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit can be contacted on 01392 475900.

Additional help is available via:

• National Rape Crisis Helpline: 0808 802 9999
• Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC): 0300 3034626

Further information can be found at Devon and Cornwall Police.