Beeston bus stop rapist ‘did not care’ whether victim lived or died

A court heard today how Zdenko Turtak, 22, targeted the 18-year-old victim at a bus stop in Beeston before dragging her into a nearby garden.

Leeds Crown Court was shown CCTV footage of the attack which was captured by a camera on the side of a house on Beeston Road at 10.40pm on March 6 this year.

Turtak, a Slovakian national, had stalked other women in Leeds before preying on the young victim as she waited for a bus.

The court heard the young woman was only five feet tall, slim, and was wearing traditional Muslim dress at the time.

Simon Waley, prosecuting, said Turtak forced the teenager face down onto the ground before climbing on top of her and placing his hands across her mouth to prevent her from screaming.

Mr Waley said: “After a short time he took a stone from his pocket and, holding that in his right hand, he repeatedly used it to hit (the victim), in particular to the left side of her forehead.

“There were a total of 18 such blows delivered with what appears to be full force and in bursts each time (the victim) continued to move.”

The prosecutor added: “After very careful analysis, the prosecution’s position is that the defendant’s actions with respect to the violence he used to incapacitate (the victim) was consistent with him simply not caring whether she lived or died.”

After knocking her unconscious Turtak then pulled down her clothing and carried out the sex attack before leaving her on the ground.

The attack lasted just over seven minutes before Turtak left the garden.

The victim managed to get to her feet and crossed the road before collapsing on the pavement,

Two women went to help her and contacted police after she told them she had been raped.

She was taken to Leeds General Infirmary and received treatment for a cut to her head and injuries to her hip.

A major investigation was launched by police after the attack.

DNA recovered from the scene did not match the national police database in the UK. A match was then found after it was checked on the European database.

Turtak returned to Slovakia after the attack but was arrested and returned to the UK.

He pleaded guilty to rape and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Turtak, wearing a grey top and jogging bottoms, appeared in the dock of the court as his sentencing hearing was opened today.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier, QC, will sentence Turtak at 10am tomorrow (Tuesday)

Mr Waley said the victim had been left with physical scars and will suffer long-term psychological effects as a result of the attack.

The court heard Turtak had been caught on camera stalking two women in the city shortly before the attack.

Turtak has no previous convictions in the UK but had committed minor offences in Slovakia. None were for sexual or violent offences.

Mr Waley said the sex attack was in the most serious category of offending and should receive a sentence ranging between 13 and 19 years.

He added: “There is the extreme nature of violence used and an element of abduction.

“The prosecution submit that there is a significant degree of planning.”

He added: “This defendant was planning a rape. It is made out by the evidence of his activities in the hours before these events.”

Mitigating Robin Freize said: “He is deeply ashamed of what he did and is very sorry. He can’t understand why he behaved in the way he did.”