A sex offender who attacked a woman while wearing a balaclava has been jailed after investigators traced blood left on the victim's clothes back to him.

The victim was at the waterfront near London Road in Purfleet when she turned and saw a man, now known to be 31-year-old Marian Canuci, running towards her wearing a balaclava before grabbing her and assaulting her. Unknowingly to him, the victim had called emergency services on her phone prior to members of the public hearing the incident and he fled the scene on August 24. The victim, along with multiple witnesses, provided police with accounts, including a detailed description of Canuci. Forensic investigators were able to trace blood left on the victim’s clothing back to him.

After six days of investigation, Canuci, of Saladin Drive in Purfleet, was arrested and later charged with assault by penetration and sexual assault. He admitted both charges on October 2, and returned to Basildon Crown Court last Wednesday where he was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for the assault by penetration. He was also sentenced to two years and ten months in prison for sexual assault, running concurrently.