A van driver has been convicted of attempting to rape a woman near a UK service station. Tadeusz Podlasinski, 60, from Wojska Polskiego in Nowa Wieś Wielka, Poland, was found guilty of one count of attempted rape, one count of attempted assault by penetration and one count of intentional strangulation on Monday, October 19.
Attack near M1 services
Leicester Crown Court heard that Podlasinski attacked a woman on Baines Lane, which runs between Leicester's Hinckley Road and the M1 southbound services at Leicester Forest East, as she walked to catch a bus home on April 25. During the attack, Podlasinski ordered the woman to remove her clothes and threatened to kill her. She fought back, pushing him in the face, which caused him to return towards the services before she reported the incident to police.
Police investigation and arrest
Leicestershire Police launched an investigation and found CCTV footage showing a man matching the victim's description. Podlasinski was seen entering the services at around 6.15pm before heading towards Baines Lane. Police said he was driving a red, curtain-sided Iveco van, which allowed detectives to identify him as the attacker.
Detective Inspector Jenny Tattersall made a direct appeal to the public for information before officers located the van at the same services on April 28. Officers from the Roads Policing Team (RPT) were deployed, and Podlasinski was found returning to his van shortly after. He was swiftly arrested and later charged.
Court outcome and sentencing
Following the trial, DI Tattersall said: "This incident generated significant public interest at the time as we appealed for help in identifying and locating the person responsible. I'd like to place on record my thanks to everyone who came forward with information that led to Podlasinski being arrested and brought to justice today. I would like to commend the bravery of the victim both on the day and for providing evidence to the court. The fact he targeted a young woman he didn't know while she walked home is most definitely predatory behaviour. He saw an opportunity to fulfil his sexual desires and he may well have gone on to do something similar again. I hope today's outcome provides both the victim and wider community with a sense of relief that a dangerous man is now facing time behind bars."
Podlasinski will be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on December 3.
