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.

What he did not see was the victim calling emergency services on her phone before members of the public heard the incident and he fled the scene of the incident on August 24.

She, and multiple witnesses, provided police with accounts, including a detailed description of Canuci, and 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 10 months in prion for sexual assault, running concurrently.

Speaking after sentencing, detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood praised the victim at the heart of this case: “This woman did something incredibly brave by speaking to officers. Her testimony and support for our investigation played a key role in securing justice and making sure a dangerous sexual predator is in prison.

“Canuci denied any involvement in this assault in interview. His lies were exposed when officers presented him with evidence and CCTV showing him and his clothing from the scene, but he still claimed he had no knowledge of the incident.

“Our officers put in a huge amount of work to make sure he was left with no choice but to plead guilty when stood in court.

“He is another offender that has learned that we will find those responsible for these crimes in Essex, and they will be put behind bars.”

Canuci has also been added to the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and was given a sexual harm prevention order lasting for 10 years.

He must pay a victim surcharge of £228, the court ordered.