This is the moment a lorry driver who raped a girl after luring her into his cab is arrested when he returned to the UK after fleeing the country.
Kent Police received a report that the teenager had been raped by the unknown man in the back of his lorry cab on London Road in Greenhithe, Kent, on August 30, 2023.
Detectives carried out extensive enquiries, including reviewing CCTV footage, which identified a foreign registered lorry later traced to Turkey. Forensic examinations also uncovered DNA belonging to the suspect but at the time there was no match on the national database.
Officers continued to pursue all lines of enquiry until 2024 when a forensic breakthrough occurred. Samet Duman, a 35-year-old Turkish national, was arrested for an unrelated matter. His DNA was uploaded to the database and a conclusive match was found, but he had fled the country. He was subsequently circulated as wanted to national and international authorities.
Police later received intelligence that Duman was due to return to the UK, and he was arrested by Kent Police officers at Stansted Airport on June 7, 2025.
Duman, of St Hilda's Way, Gravesend, denied the offence but was convicted by a jury following a two week trial at the Old Bailey. On April 21, he was sentenced to eight years and eight months' imprisonment.
Investigating officer Detective Constable James Lake said: 'This was a terrifying and deeply traumatic ordeal for the victim, who was targeted by a stranger and subjected to an appalling offence. Her bravery in coming forward and supporting this investigation has been extraordinary, particularly given the distress she has endured. Through the support of her family, she was able to deliver effective evidence to help bring this predatory offender to justice. From the outset, Duman provided false and contradictory accounts, a pattern of dishonesty that continued throughout the investigation and at trial. Thanks to the victim's courage and the perseverance of the investigative team, he has now been held fully accountable for his actions.'
