CONVICTED RAPIST'S SENTENCE INCREASED TO LIFE FOR BRUTAL ATTACK
A man convicted of rape who committed a violent sexual assault shortly after arriving in the UK from Lithuania has had his previously lenient prison sentence replaced with a life imprisonment by senior judges.Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, along with two other judges in London, increased the sentence originally handed down in Northampton Crown Court last April for Gintas Burinskas, aged 37.
Burinskas, who had entered the UK in November 2012 following his release from a Lithuanian prison where he served a decade for rape, attacked a 31-year-old woman late at night on December 26, 2012, while she was walking alone in Northampton.
He admitted to raping her and causing grievous bodily harm with intent, initially receiving an extended sentence of seven years in prison plus three years on licence.
However, Lord Thomas announced that the court had overturned this sentence and imposed a life sentence with a minimum term of six years.
The judge commented, “This was a serious, sustained, and brutal attack by a dangerous man on a vulnerable woman at night.” The court reasoned that the extended sentence, which would have allowed his release after the custodial period, did not sufficiently serve public protection.
Lord Thomas stated, “The severity of this offence justifies a sentence of life imprisonment.” Detailing the assault, he explained how Burinskas, released from Lithuanian custody on August 7, 2012, approached his victim and strangled her.
He described how Burinskas wrapped his hands around her neck, squeezing until she lost consciousness, only for her to wake and scream again.
The attacker then tightened his grip, causing her to faint a second time and leaving her on the ground in an area with trees and bushes.
Throughout the ordeal, Burinskas repeatedly hit her face and strangled her, despite her pleas for him to stop.
When she attempted to escape, he caught her, kicked her to the ground, and fractured her jaw, requiring surgery.
The woman was left “devastated,” fearing she would die.
Solicitor General Oliver Heald highlighted the brutality, stating, “This was a vicious, prolonged, unprovoked attack where the victim feared for her life.
She was beaten when trying to escape.” He underscored the importance of upholding the tougher sentence, labeling Burinskas as a “dangerous criminal.” The court concluded that the assault was serious and sustained, warranting the imposition of a life sentence with a minimum of six years, consistent with the gravity of his actions.
