Deported man returned to Britain illegally and raped woman three times

The 55-year-old met the stranger at Hanley Bus Station in Stoke-on-Trent earlier this year, invited her to his home, and stopped off for vodka and wine.

However, just minutes after arriving at the property he became sexually aggressive, forcibly removed her clothes, pinned her down, and raped her.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard how the woman told him to stop and get off her but he held her down causing bruises to her arms, before repeatedly striking her to her head and face.

Zukauskas told police he did not use a condom, explaining he is 'not a fan' of them and denied any aggression or assault.

He added she went to his home voluntarily and the sexual activity was consensual, reports Stoke-on-TrentLive.

The Lithuanian of Davis Street, Shelton, has been handed a 12-year extended sentence and is liable for deportation to his homeland.

Prosecutor Andrew Baker told the court: "She was physically overpowered by a much larger man, pinned down, and restrained by her arms while the defendant continued to rape her.

"The victim was terrified and said she feared for her life. After the sexual assaults the defendant's aggression escalated.

"He punched her in the face and head multiple times, causing a nosebleed, bruising and swelling. Blood was visible on her body, legs, and arms and later found on bedding and walls.

"The victim was left naked and bleeding, while the defendant also remained unclothed. Housemates, alarmed by shouting and the sight of the woman covered in blood, called the police.

"Officers documented injuries including bruising, swelling and a split lip. The defendant was arrested."

The court heard Zukauskas has multiple previous convictions for acquisitive crime, minor assaults and drunkenness between 2008 and 2012 before he was initially deported.

He returned to the country illegally and committed a further offence of assaulting an emergency worker in 2022.

While in Lithuania in 2019 he committed a domestic violence offence.

Mr Baker added: "While the defendant does not have any previous qualifying offences, the court may consider that the defendant might be found to represent a danger by posing a high risk of serious harm to members of the public."

Mitigating, Rashad Mohammed told the court Zukauskas had the courage to admit what he did.

He said: "He expresses, through me, his regret and remorse. He tells me is ashamed of what he has done and he says he will never repeat it again.

"He said he would like to have sent a letter of apology for what he has done. He initially came to this country in 2012 but he was deported back to Lithuania.

"He does not believe he returned illegally. He says he returned on an aeroplane.

"There are no sexual offences recorded against him. He recognises he will receive a lengthy sentence of imprisonment.

"The court can be assured he has learnt his lesson and it is very unlikely he will commit an offence of this type again."

Judge Richard McConaghy told the court: "You took her into your room. You became physically and sexually violent to her. You took her clothes off and pinned her down. You raped her. She told you to stop but you would not do it.

"You put your weight on her and caused bruising to her arms. You carried on with what you were doing. After the rape you repeatedly struck her leaving her significantly bleeding from her face. You left her naked and covered in blood.

"The psychological impact of your behaviour upon her has been significant. I take the view that the violence amounts to additional degradation. This was three separate rapes during the same incident.

"I find there is a significant risk to members of the public of serious harm occasioned by you committing further specified offences."

Zukauskas is now on the Sex Offenders' Register for life and must serve two-thirds of the custodial part of the sentence before he can be considered for release by the parole board.