A 34-year-old man has been found guilty of raping and strangling an 18-year-old student in a Southampton park. The attack occurred in Riverside Park late on 2 December 2018.
Jozef Janczura, of Laburnum Road in Southampton, was convicted of rape and assault causing actual bodily harm at Southampton Crown Court. The court heard the attack was 'terrifying' and the victim feared she would die.
Prosecutor Martyn Booth said the university student had left her halls of residence for a late-night walk alone and was aware of her attacker following her. She was strangled to the point of unconsciousness while being raped, and 'genuinely thought she was going to die'.
The jury was told that Janczura said 'sorry' to his victim as his 'parting shot' after the attack. He will be sentenced on 16 January.
Detective Inspector Roger Wood of Hampshire Constabulary commended the woman's bravery, stating: 'The significance of forensic evidence is undeniable, which is why we have been able to bring Janczura to justice today.'
