MARTIN DUNA AND HIS PREDATORY CRIMES IN BRADFORD
Martin Duna, a 19-year-old man from New Hey Road, East Bowling, Bradford, was sentenced to a total of four years and seven months in prison after being found guilty of a series of heinous crimes committed in Bradford.The offences included the abduction and sexual assault of a young schoolgirl, acts that have horrified the local community and cast a long shadow over public safety in the area.
The incident took place in the daylight hours of October 11 last year at Bowling Park, a popular recreational area in Bradford.
Duna, who was a complete stranger to his victim, initially sat on a park bench before making a sinister decision to follow her.
Witnesses and the court heard that the young girl, walking through the park, became aware of footsteps behind her.
As she increased her pace to escape, she was suddenly seized around the waist, dragged into a nearby wooded area, and subjected to a brutal sexual assault.
Prosecutor Philip Standfast described the encounter, stating that Duna asked the girl if she had a boyfriend and, after she lied, he assaulted her physically—squeezing her breast and putting his hand down her skirt.
During the assault, Duna forcibly covered her mouth, and due to her fear, the girl was breathing heavily, which increased her distress.
He also threatened her life, warning that he would kill her if she made any noise.
Once he had assaulted her sexually, Duna stole her mobile phone.
Fortunately, the girl managed to alert two boys in the vicinity, who then chased after him, successfully retrieving her phone.
Following the attack, authorities launched an urgent police appeal to identify and apprehend the suspect.
Duna eventually handed himself in at Trafalgar House Police Station after the recovered evidence linked him to the crime scene.
During police interviews, he initially admitted to the theft but then confessed to the sexual assault.
An attempt was made by Duna to downplay his actions, claiming that he was motivated solely by a desire to steal from the girl, denying any sexual intent.
His DNA was recovered from the victim’s shirt, which confirmed his involvement.
The impact on the victim was profound.
She provided a heartfelt victim personal statement, revealing that she now avoids visiting Bowling Park, experiences flashbacks, and struggles with sleep disturbances.
She described her altered routine, explaining, “He’s changed my life.
I still have flashbacks and difficulty sleeping.” Her testimony highlighted the lingering trauma inflicted by Duna’s violent and predatory behaviour.
The court heard expert testimony from the probation service, which highlighted the severity of the crimes.
Duna was classified as a dangerous offender under the terms of the sentencing act and received a five-year extension to his custodial term in the form of an extended license period.
Judge Jonathan Rose emphasized the severity of the offence, describing it as “horrendous.” He pointed out that the young girl, who entered the park carefree, was left deeply scarred and damaged by Duna’s actions.
Judge Rose condemned Duna’s behaviour, stating, “Your actions demonstrate that you were not prepared to allow her to enjoy her freedom.
You followed her with intent to have sexual contact, abducted her by dragging her into the woods, and threatened her with death.” The judge underlined that Duna’s attack was not only violent and predatory but also motivated by a deeply troubling desire to inflict harm.
He noted Duna’s failure to provide any credible explanation for his actions, which was particularly concerning given that he had lied about his habits, including watching pornography, and was involved in a relationship at the time.
The court was informed that Duna had received advice from fellow inmates on how to minimize his culpability, and that he posed a high risk of repeating such offences in the future, potentially targeting other young girls unknown to him.
His probation officer described him as a predatory individual, highlighting the danger he posed for future sexual offences.
Consequently, Judge Rose imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order on Duna.
Additionally, he is now required to sign the sex offender register for the rest of his life, further underlining the seriousness with which the justice system views his crimes.
This case has left a lasting mark on the community of Bradford, serving as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and protective measures against such dangerous offenders.
