MUARUG GEBREMCAL, PLYMOUTH RAPIST, FLEEING BEFORE SENTENCE, JAILED FOR 10 YEARS IN EXETER
A man convicted of a serious sexual assault has been sentenced to a decade behind bars after he evaded justice by fleeing before his sentencing could take place.Muarug Abraham Gebremcal, aged 34, disappeared from a bail address in Plymouth just prior to his scheduled sentencing at Exeter Crown Court in September 2023.
His sudden disappearance came after he was found guilty of raping a woman in December 2021, an incident that took place in Torquay, where he was residing at the time.
Gebremcal’s criminal activity involved targeting a woman leaving a nightclub in Torquay late at night.
The victim, who was alone at the time, was approached by Gebremcal around 3:30 a.m.
on a date close to Christmas, specifically six days before the holiday.
According to court proceedings, Gebremcal initially appeared to be a helpful stranger, pretending to assist her as she tried to contact her boyfriend after becoming separated from her friends.
He engaged her in conversation, posing as a kind-hearted individual offering aid.
However, the situation took a sinister turn when Gebremcal lured her to his bedsit located on Warren Road.
Instead of helping her, he subjected her to a sexual assault.
The victim managed to escape from his residence and sought refuge at a neighbor’s home, where she promptly raised the alarm, alerting authorities to the assault.
During the trial, Gebremcal denied the charges of rape, claiming that the woman had consented to their encounter and that she had been an enthusiastic participant until she suddenly left his house.
Despite his denial, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him of the crime.
Judge Anna Richardson, who presided over the case, sentenced Gebremcal in his absence to ten years in prison.
She also emphasized that he would face additional legal consequences once apprehended for breaching his bail conditions, as he had surrendered his passport and was released on bail after his conviction.
The judge highlighted the premeditated nature of Gebremcal’s attack, noting that he had carefully planned the assault.
She pointed out that the victim was particularly vulnerable due to her intoxication and solitude at the time.
The court heard that Gebremcal had deliberately chosen a route back to his residence that avoided busy roads, indicating a level of planning and intent.
The judge remarked that there was very little mitigation for his actions.
Authorities from Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that Gebremcal has family connections to Plymouth, Birmingham, and London.
However, they also stated that he could be anywhere within the United Kingdom, making his whereabouts uncertain as he remains at large following his flight from justice.
