Chiswick Man Jailed for Sexually Assaulting Teenage Girl
Andrii Melnyk traced by police using Oyster card data
Andrii Melnyk. Picture: Surrey Police
January 17, 2024
A 30-year-old man from Chiswick has been jailed for four and a half years after being convicted of two charges of sexual assault.
Andrii Melnyk of Harvard Road was sentenced at Reading Crown Court this Wednesday (17 January) having being found guilty of an attack which took place on 2 April last year.
He followed his 18-year-old victim after she had got off a bus in Staines at around 6am. He then grabbed her by the arm and attempted to pull down her trousers. When she fell over Melynk held her down and sexually assaulted her.
She resisted and managed to fight him off shouting for help. A nearby taxi driver arrived to give her assistance and ring the police while Melynk fled the scene.
Surrey Police trawled through CCTV footage from the bus and managed to find Melynk using the description they had been provided. They then were able to cross reference Oyster card data to identify Melnyk.
A warrant was obtained to search his home and clothing was found matching what he was seen wearing on CCTV. A distinctive pair of jeans had mud stains on the knees. He was subsequently picked out as the perpetrator in an ID parade by the victim, before being charged with the offences and remanded in custody.
Investigating Officer DC Katherine Peters, said, “This was a complex investigation that involved many different lines of enquiries including forensics, intel, witness testimonies and CCTV.
“The survivor was extremely brave and displayed enormous resilience throughout the investigation and court proceedings. Thanks to her, a dangerous man is now off the streets and in prison where he belongs.
“If you have been the victim of sexual assault, we would urge you to report it to us; we will listen to you and will do everything we can to find and bring the perpetrator to justice.”
He will also be on the sexual offenders register for life.
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