Romanian national accused of the rape of two teenage girls in seaside resort appears in court

Published: 17:12, 8 June 2026 | Updated: 17:14, 8 June 2026 A Romanian national who was arrested as he re-entered the UK appeared in court today charged in connection with the reported rape of two girls in a seaside resort. Madalin Ilinca, 34, appeared close to tears as he stood clasping both hands while standing beside a security officer in the glass-fronted dock at Norwich Magistrates Court. Police revealed last month that they were investigating reports of two teenage girls being raped in sand dunes behind the seafront Premier Inn at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, in the early hours of May 16. One man aged in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of rape in Northamptonshire on May 17 and quizzed before being released on police bail until August 10 pending further inquiries. Married father-of-four Ilinca of Stafford Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk was arrested at the Port of Dover last Friday when he attempted to re-enter the UK, and questioned at the Police investigation Centre in Wymondham, Norfolk. He was subsequently charged with the rape of a girl aged over 16 and two sexual assaults on a girl aged 16 or over between May 15 and May 16 at Great Yarmouth. The charges alleged that there was no consent to the acts and he did not reasonably believe that there was consent. Ilinca who was wearing a grey hoodie spoke through a Romanian interpreter to confirm his name, date of birth and address, before begging magistrates: 'I have four children, please.' Madalin Ilinca, 34, appeared close to tears as he stood clasping both hands while standing beside a security officer in the glass fronted-dock at Norwich magistrates court Prosecutor Katherine Newson said: 'Police received a call that two females had been attacked near the Premier Inn on the seafront at Great Yarmouth. 'Police attended and spoke to the two complainants. Both (later) provided video recorded interviews. 'They were in Great Yarmouth and encountered another male, not the defendant. He fetched alcohol and the group remained together. 'During this time, Ilinca approached the group. It is alleged he sexually assaulted one of the complainants at the rear of the hotel. 'All parties went onto the beach where the allegations of rape and sexual penetration occurred. 'The police say evidence shows Mr Ilinca following behind the group in Great Yarmouth.' Ms Newson said police issued a press release about the reported rape of the two girls on May 17 and Ilinca left the country for Romania on May 19. She added that the two teenage complainants were 'previously strangers to the defendant'. Police revealed last month that they were investigating reports of two teenage girls being raped in sand dunes behind the seafront Premier Inn at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, in the early hours of May 16 Norwich Magistrates Court heard the Romanian national had gone home to visit his ill mother and was arrested as he re-entered the UK Michael Cole, defending, said: 'From my brief conversation with the defendant, it would seem that the issue in this case will be consent and the reasonableness of his belief that there was consent. 'He tells me that there was nothing sinister about him leaving this country for Romania on May 19. It was because his mother was ill and he has documentary evidence to prove that. 'I understand that he returned voluntarily to this country and was arrested on June 5 at the (port), and then questioned.' Mr Cole said he would not be making an application for bail due to the need for authorities to check out any accommodation that Ilinca was being bailed to. He added: 'Put simply, I told him that realistically he cannot have a bail application today. I will put all this information back to his solicitors in London, and they can talk to police and immigration and do all the necessary checks, to make an application to a judge in chambers for bail after today.' Presiding magistrate Kevin Banks-Dunnell told Ilinca that he could not be granted bail and remanded him in custody to appear before Norwich Crown Court on July 6. Police cordoned off a 100 yard wide stretch of dunes after the girls were allegedly raped behind the 81-bedroom Premier Inn. Officers were seen standing guard on the dunes which are covered with marram grass as they searched for evidence. The Pleasure Beach amusement park close to the spot where the two teenage girls were reportedly raped in Great Yarmouth Ilinca, pictured with a friend, was  charged with the rape of a girl aged over 16 and two sexual assaults on a girl aged 16 or over between May 15 and May 16 at Great Yarmouth The scene is also close to the Pleasure Beach amusement park and is overlooked by the Wellington Pier. Chief Inspector Nick Paling of Norfolk Police who is district commander for Great Yarmouth, said at the time of the alleged rapes: 'We recognise how shocking and distressing these incidents are for the victims, their families, and the wider community. 'Specialist officers have been deployed to support both girls as we work through this investigation. 'There will be an increased police presence in the area, with officers carrying out reassurance patrols. Please do approach them if you have any concerns or information.' The attacks happened just yards away from a cluster of tents used by homeless people. Semi-retired window fitter Andrew Bird, 62, who has been living in a tent on the dunes since losing his accommodation 12 days ago, said he woke up to see the area cordoned off He said: 'I saw the tape and thought, 'What the hell has been going on?' The officer would not tell me because of the ongoing investigation, and I left it at that. 'I don't think anybody round here seems to have heard or seen anything. When I went into town, someone said there had been a stabbing Homeless Andrew Bird, 62, said he woke up to find police had set up a cordon next to his tent on dunes in the area 'Now I have found out that two girls were raped. It is just disgusting. The police should be getting all the help they need. 'This is actually a quiet area because it is out of the town centre, so people come here in tents to avoid problems with their stuff being stolen.' Taxi driver Jamie Zmich, 33, said: 'I was driving to work at around 4.10am on Saturday morning when I saw four or five police cars. 'There were some parked in the Premier Inn car park and others in the side road leading to the beach. I wondered what had happened. 'I was very sad to hear about the girls being raped. This town is not safe any more. Being a taxi driver, I see it all.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.