NEWCASTLE SEXUAL PREDATOR JAILED FOR ATTEMPTED RAPE
A bold sexual offender operating in the heart of the city attempted to assault a vulnerable woman in a prolonged attack, with children passing nearby.Istavan Stoberl, a man from Hungary, made repeated efforts to sexually assault a woman in her 50s on the steps of the Salvation Army building in Newcastle.
His attempt was thwarted only by the woman's courageous resistance—she fought back by scratching him and poking him in the eye.
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A bystander witnessing the altercation last October around 5:45 pm contacted the police, who arrested Stoberl at the scene.
The 29-year-old, residing in Jubilee View, Newcastle, received a five-year prison sentence at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting to attempted rape.
The court was told that Stoberl, after drinking in the city center, had a seizure but declined medical help; his victim then offered to escort him home.
Suddenly, he turned on her, the court heard.
Prosecutor Vince Ward stated: "The assault occurred on the steps of the Salvation Army building." "He pushed her onto the ground and tried to kiss her." "He placed his hand over her mouth and attempted to lower his hands into her trousers." "The woman fought back, managing to fend off his hands and scratched him." "She grabbed his windpipe, causing him to pause briefly.
He then moved her hand away, and she poked him in the eyes." As the woman screamed for assistance, Stoberl forcibly sexually assaulted her and then pulled down her trousers and underwear.
Mr Ward explained: "This was witnessed by members of the public." "One woman walking along City Road to the gym saw what was happening.
Unsure of the situation, she called the police." "A couple returning to their car after dining with their children also observed the incident." "The woman heard a scream, which drew her attention.
On looking over, she saw the struggle.
She noticed the complainant's legs were bare, and her trousers were around her ankles." "She saw the defendant behind her with his hand over her head, muffling her screams." "His right leg was over hers, clearly restraining her." The witness could hear the victim calling out but couldn't understand her words because her voice was muffled by Stoberl's hand.
Police arrived to find the woman in a distressed state—semi-naked, crying, with visible scratches and bruises, and suffering pain.
Mr Ward stated: "She expressed that she feared for her life during the incident." "It was a relentless attack, and she tried to defend herself firmly." "The scene involved humiliation and degradation—a public attempted rape.
It was a coordinated effort, nearly successful, and even a ten-year-old witnessed the events." Initially, Stoberl denied the assault, claiming it was consensual, but he had noticeable scratch marks on his face, neck, and hands.
He also told police he would have had sex with her if not for law enforcement intervention.
The court heard that the attack had a profound and lasting impact on the victim, who tragically died from unrelated health issues.
Mr Ward conveyed: "She felt as though he stripped her of her dignity." "She believed something irreplaceable had been taken from her." Her son described how her personality changed drastically after the incident—from a lively, friendly person to a withdrawn individual suffering from depression, which was heightened by her alcohol issues.
He added that her drinking, which was already problematic and made her more vulnerable, worsened significantly afterward.
Mr Ward highlighted: "The incident felt to her as if she lost her mother for months before her passing, and she felt robbed of her presence prematurely." "He couldn't put into words how deeply this affected her and the family.
Her last months were filled with misery caused by the defendant's actions." In addition to the five-year prison sentence, Stoberl will be subject to lifelong registration as a sex offender and will be automatically deported due to the severity of his sentence.
Defending attorney Sue Hirst acknowledged the victim's ordeal, describing it as "terrifying," and noted that Stoberl was under the influence of drugs at the time.
She explained that he had been in the UK for two years, initially visiting for a family holiday.
Miss Hirst revealed that Stoberl had experienced a traumatic upbringing—beaten by his father and burned by his mother with boiling water, sustaining third-degree burns.
He also survived the death of his wife and three children, who were killed in a car crash.
His mental health had been severely affected, leading to suicide attempts, one nearly successful.
She emphasized that Stoberl had worked while in the UK and insisted that this offense was entirely out of character, likely fueled by alcohol and drug consumption.
"He cannot be held responsible for her tragic death," she added.
Detective Constable Lee Boys, who led the investigation, commented: "This has been a tragic and heartbreaking case, especially since the victim did not live to see justice served.
I hope this provides some closure for her family, and my thoughts remain with them.
Stoberl is a dangerous predator, and thanks to the victim's bravery, he is now behind bars.
I encourage anyone affected by sexual assault to come forward—we are here to help."
