After a fantastic show of bravery by female police officers, a Rapist from Littlehampton, Mark Stankus, who attacked two ladies was imprisoned.
Police were informed on September 2, 2023, of a woman who had been sexually attacked strolling alone at Littlehampton town centre late at night.
An unidentified male trailed behind her, grabbed her, pulled her to the ground, and left the scene having sexually abused her.
The man loitering in the town centre for almost an hour was seen on CCTV, then trailing her into a residential area.
Police searched the region, but he could not be found.
CCTV footage also showed the man pursuing other women about the town core.
Police sent plainclothes agents to try to apprehend the man, the suspect posing a continuous threat to other women.
Police personnel dressed and were assigned to Littlehampton town centre.
Early on Sunday, October, CCTV revealed one of the police, a lady in her 20s, under observation by a man fitting the suspect’s description.
He trailed her across the town centre, down the coastline, and into the residential Harsfold Road for over thirty minutes.
Donning a face covering, he pursued her, snatched and attacked her.
He tried to leave the area, but officials engaged in the operation stopped and apprehended him.
Following identification as 44-year-old Mark Stankus of High Street in Littlehampton, he was charged with sexual assault and actual bodily harm.
Stankus entered a guilty plea to all charges; Portsmouth Crown Court sentenced him to eight years with a restraining order and registered him as a lifetime sex offender on Friday, April 19.
“Mark Stankus is a dangerous, predatory offender who clearly and repeatedly endangered women in Littlehampton,” Detective Inspector Amanda Zinyama said.
It is impossible to overestimate the bravery with which this young female police officer helped apprehend him.
“She put Stankus behind bars and gave her safety up to cage him. Sussex’s streets have become safer as a result.
“I also want to thank the first victim of Stankus for telling police about her terrifying experience and helping this inquiry all the way through.
“This sentence should effectively convey to other predatory offenders that we will stop at nothing to keep the public safe and bring you to justice.”
“This investigation is a prime example of how seriously we at Sussex Police treat all reports of sexual assault,” said Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh.
“First investigations into the first incident revealed a dangerous person was at large; hence, a focused patrol approach was quickly implemented to capture him.”
“The coordinated operation brought together several teams to ensure we had officers in the correct area, at the proper moment, to conduct an arrest.
“I want to thank all those engaged for their excellent efforts in ensuring Littlehampton’s streets are safer.”
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