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Man accused of rape and murder of British woman in Bulgaria Man accused of rape and murder of British woman in Bulgaria
(about 1 hour later)
Bulgarian prosecutors are seeking the most “severe” sentence against the man accused of raping and murdering British woman Jan Bennett in the Bulgarian village where she had recently moved. Prosecutors in Bulgaria are seeking the most “severe” sentence against the man accused of raping and murdering British woman Jan Bennett in the Bulgarian village where she had recently moved.
Bennett, a 67-year-old from Bristol, was attacked in the town of Malomir, south-eastern Bulgaria, after she had walked her two dogs. She is understood to have moved there from Turkey with her 62-year-old husband, Nick, two months ago. The 67-year-old, from Bristol, was attacked in the town of Malomir, south-east Bulgaria, after she had walked her two dogs. Bennett is understood to have moved there from Turkey with her 62-year-old husband, Nick, two months ago.
The suspect, Bulgarian citizen Ivan Nikolov, 40, who was working as a grape-picker at a nearby vineyard, is accused of raping and murdering Bennett before setting her body alight. Her charred remains were reportedly found about 200 metres from her new home.The suspect, Bulgarian citizen Ivan Nikolov, 40, who was working as a grape-picker at a nearby vineyard, is accused of raping and murdering Bennett before setting her body alight. Her charred remains were reportedly found about 200 metres from her new home.
The Bulgarian prosecutor’s office said that sometime between the 30 and 31 July, Nikolov is thought to have sexually assaulted Bennett before killing her to cover up his crime. “The murder is committed with particular cruelty,” a spokeswoman from the prosecutor’s office told the Guardian. The Bulgarian prosecutor’s office said that sometime between the 30 and 31 July, Nikolov is thought to have sexually assaulted Bennett before killing her to cover up his crime. “The murder is committed with particular cruelty,” a spokeswoman told the Guardian.
Boyko Borisov, the Bulgarian prime minister, said in a statement on Monday that a firm DNA match had been found from the victim, and praised local police for their investigations. The district prosecutor’s office of Yambol will on Tuesday submit a request to the district court to render judgment for the most severe sentence available against the suspect. Boyko Borisov, the Bulgarian prime minister, said on Monday that a firm DNA match had been found from the victim, and praised local police for their investigations. The district prosecutor’s office of Yambol will submit a request on Tuesday to the district court to render judgment for the most severe sentence available against the suspect.
Nikolov was convicted of 10 indictable offences in the period from 2002 to 2012, including convictions for theft, driving under the influence and without a driving licence. He served his last prison sentence in December 2012. Nikolov was convicted of 10 indictable offences in the period from 2002 to 2012, including theft, driving under the influence and without a driving licence. He served his last prison sentence in December 2012.
Bulgarian media originally reported that the attack on Bennett may have been a robbery gone awry, with an initial examination showing the pensioner had been struck on the head by a blunt object, as well as her assailant’s fists.Bulgarian media originally reported that the attack on Bennett may have been a robbery gone awry, with an initial examination showing the pensioner had been struck on the head by a blunt object, as well as her assailant’s fists.
The mayor of Malomir, Hristina Dimova, told the Bulgarian 24 Chasa website that Bennett’s husband had been taken ill after her death and was in Yambol hospital. Dimova said she had been concerned for Bennett’s husband, who has an unspecified disability but is believed to have suffered a stroke. Dimova said he had never been assessed by Bulgarian doctors and was cared for solely by his wife. The mayor of Malomir, Hristina Dimova, told the Bulgarian 24 Chasa website that Bennett’s husband had been taken ill after her death and was in Yambol hospital. Dimova said she had been concerned for Nick Bennett, who has an unspecified disability but is believed to have suffered a stroke. She said he had never been assessed by Bulgarian doctors and was cared for solely by his wife.
“They came to us from Turkey about three months ago and the family were living quietly,” Dimova said. “The news [of her death] came like a thunderbolt.”“They came to us from Turkey about three months ago and the family were living quietly,” Dimova said. “The news [of her death] came like a thunderbolt.”
Bennett’s two dogs were not believed to be with her at the time of the attack, as reported elsewhere, and the animals are now being cared for at nearby kennels. Bennett’s two dogs were not believed to be with her at the time of the attack, as reported elsewhere, and the animals are now being cared for at kennels nearby.
On the Didim Voices’ website, Bennett was described as an enthusiastic member of the church group in the resort of Altinkum and “a popular expat who had settled into the way of life before deciding to seek pastures new and settle in Malomir”. On the Didim Voices’ website, Bennett was described as an enthusiastic member of the church group in the resort of Altinkum, west Turkey, and “a popular expat who had settled into the way of life before deciding to seek pastures new and settle in Malomir”.
Bennett’s brother was on Monday travelling to Bulgaria from the UK. Friends were meanwhile planning a memorial service in the resort in western Turkey. Bennett’s brother was on Monday travelling to Bulgaria from the UK. Friends were meanwhile planning a memorial service in Altinkum.
Restaurateur Karin Dalbak, from Didim, Turkey, wrote a tribute that read: “You were a one-off. Such a kind person who cared about everyone and all the animals too. I will miss your funny comments, your kind words and your never-ending enthusiasm and joy. The world is a poorer place without you, Jan.”Restaurateur Karin Dalbak, from Didim, Turkey, wrote a tribute that read: “You were a one-off. Such a kind person who cared about everyone and all the animals too. I will miss your funny comments, your kind words and your never-ending enthusiasm and joy. The world is a poorer place without you, Jan.”
Another friend, Roz Millington, posted on the local Facebook group: “I am brokenhearted about Jan. Her ordeal doesn’t bear thinking about, such a lovely, funny, caring lady – I shall miss her. My heart goes out to her family, in particular her husband.”Another friend, Roz Millington, posted on the local Facebook group: “I am brokenhearted about Jan. Her ordeal doesn’t bear thinking about, such a lovely, funny, caring lady – I shall miss her. My heart goes out to her family, in particular her husband.”