Asylum seeker hunted in Butlins rape inquiry
News | 28.08.2002 00:59
Detectives investigating a series of sex attacks on women at a Butlins holiday camp say they want to speak to a Romanian asylum seeker in connection with the inquiry.
Asylum seeker hunted in Butlins rape inquiry
5:37pm Tuesday, 27th August 2002
Detectives investigating a series of sex attacks on women at a Butlins holiday camp say they want to speak to a Romanian asylum seeker in connection with the inquiry.
Petru Samfira, who has been working at a Rolls-Royce factory, is thought to be the man seen on CCTV riding a bicycle away from Butlins in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, on the night of the last attack.
One woman claimed she was raped and three others reported indecent assaults in or near the popular holiday resort. All the women are in their early twenties.
The cyclist was spotted in bushes close to the perimeter fence by security guards who stepped up patrols of the area with police. The man was challenged but fled.
Officers searched a mobile home at the Riverside caravan park in Bognor where Samfira, who worked for Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, had been living until Wednesday. Police have yet to trace him but said he was thought to have connections to Harlesden, north west London.
Detective Inspector Tony O'Donnell, leading the inquiry codenamed Operation Magellan, said: "It's been a week now since the last attack in and around Butlins in Bognor. The attacks have ceased but we are progressing our investigation inside and outside of the Butlins complex.
One of the victims was a guest at the camp. The other three were local, two of them with connections with the camp. It is not thought any of the victims knew each other.
Last week staff at the camp were questioned after it emerged 100 workers fitted the description of the attacker, said to be white or tanned in appearance, 5ft 8in tall, slim with very short mousey brown hair.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999.
5:37pm Tuesday, 27th August 2002
Detectives investigating a series of sex attacks on women at a Butlins holiday camp say they want to speak to a Romanian asylum seeker in connection with the inquiry.
Petru Samfira, who has been working at a Rolls-Royce factory, is thought to be the man seen on CCTV riding a bicycle away from Butlins in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, on the night of the last attack.
One woman claimed she was raped and three others reported indecent assaults in or near the popular holiday resort. All the women are in their early twenties.
The cyclist was spotted in bushes close to the perimeter fence by security guards who stepped up patrols of the area with police. The man was challenged but fled.
Officers searched a mobile home at the Riverside caravan park in Bognor where Samfira, who worked for Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, had been living until Wednesday. Police have yet to trace him but said he was thought to have connections to Harlesden, north west London.
Detective Inspector Tony O'Donnell, leading the inquiry codenamed Operation Magellan, said: "It's been a week now since the last attack in and around Butlins in Bognor. The attacks have ceased but we are progressing our investigation inside and outside of the Butlins complex.
One of the victims was a guest at the camp. The other three were local, two of them with connections with the camp. It is not thought any of the victims knew each other.
Last week staff at the camp were questioned after it emerged 100 workers fitted the description of the attacker, said to be white or tanned in appearance, 5ft 8in tall, slim with very short mousey brown hair.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999.
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