Delivery driver denies raping woman at her home
Silviu Iakob, 28, is accused of forcing a woman into a bedroom to carry out the attack and then fleeing from the house.
- Published
A food delivery driver has appeared in court charged with the rape of a woman at her home near Belfast.
Silviu Iakob, 28, from Glandore Drive in the city, is accused of forcing his way into a bedroom to carry out the attack and then fleeing the property in Newtownabbey.
The defendant claimed that the sexual encounter on 16 October 2024 was consensual.
Mr Iakob was granted bail was ordered to lodge a 拢3,000 cash surety.
A curfew and a ban on going near the alleged victim's home was also imposed, the court heard.
Returned a second time
Prosecutors said the alleged victim informed police that a driver for a food delivery service initially brought an order of online groceries to her home.
That evening the driver returned to her home after she reached out to the company about receiving extra items.
鈥淪he answered a knock on the door and asked him to wait two minutes,鈥 a crown lawyer said.
鈥淗owever, as she reached the kitchen the male grabbed her from behind by the hair and forced her into a bedroom.鈥
It was alleged that the delivery driver attempted to kiss the woman before he pulled down her pyjama bottoms and pushed her onto a bed.
Prosecution counsel claimed he raped her despite repeated requests for him to stop.
鈥淒uring this incident she messaged her sister to ask for help,鈥 the barrister submitted.
鈥淭his act lasted for four or five minutes before the male鈥 ran out of the house.鈥
Based on a description of the delivery car that was used, Mr Iakob was identified as the suspect.
Bail granted to the accused
Mr Iakob attended a Belfast police station for voluntary questioning and provided intimate samples.
鈥淗e gave an account that sexual intercourse with the complainant was consensual,鈥 the prosecutor added.
Bail was opposed by prosecutors who argued Mr Iakob could flee or interfere with the alleged victim due to her address being stored in his car鈥檚 sat-nav system.
Defence counsel Conn O鈥橬eill told the court his client has lived in Northern Ireland for seven years and fully cooperated with the investigation.
鈥淗e gave a full account of what he said happened and answered every question,鈥 Mr O鈥橬eill stressed.
Granting bail, Mr Justice Scoffield cited both his clear record and the version of events he provided to police.
The judge also directed: 鈥淗e will be precluded from having a job as a delivery driver which might put him in a similar situation.鈥