A fireman accused of sexually assaulting two teenage girls on a beach has been granted permission to leave the United Kingdom to visit his father, who has stage 4 cancer. Dawid Wlach, 35, appeared at King's Lynn Crown Court to face charges of two counts of rape and sexual assault against one victim, and a sex assault against the other. He denies all charges.
He appeared alongside Romanian national Madalin Ilinca, 34, who faces charges of rape, assault by penetration, and sexual assault in connection with the same incident. Ilinca has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The alleged attacks occurred on Great Yarmouth beach in Norfolk on the night of May 15 or early hours of May 16 this year. Police were called at 12:37 a.m. on May 16 following reports that two girls had been raped in sand dunes near the seafront Premier Inn.
Ilinca, who had left the UK, was arrested upon his return in June. He reportedly left the country for Romania on May 19, stating his mother was ill, and returned voluntarily, being arrested at a port on June 5.
Wlach, who has lived in the UK for ten years with his fiancée, Monika Wrona, had his passport surrendered upon his arrest in May. His legal team argued that he had been compliant with police and had strong ties to the UK, including a 12-year relationship with Ms. Wrona, who works in Ipswich. They emphasized his father's critical illness and the potential for Wlach to never see him again.
Recorder Justin Rouse KC varied Wlach's bail conditions, allowing him to travel to Poland. The conditions stipulate that Wlach must provide police with a return plane ticket before his passport is returned and must surrender it again by September 6. Ms. Wrona is required to provide her passport to the police, which will be returned upon Wlach's safe return and surrender of his own passport. She must also pay a £20,000 surety to the court.
Wlach has resigned from his position as a firefighter after seven years due to his arrest. Ilinca remains on remand in prison.
