The hunt for a Romanian man officers want to speak to in connection with a brutal sex attack on a grandmother remains “very much live” say police.
Cleveland Police want to speak to Cezar Florea in connection with an attack close to the A66 flyover, near Lytton Street, on June 7 this year.
Earlier this month, The Gazette reported how the force was seeking a European Union warrant for the arrest of Florea, who it is believed may have left the UK, but had been unable to complete the request.
Speaking at the time, a spokeswoman told The Gazette that the force was unable to reveal details as to why the process had taken so long, because doing so could prejudice the inquiry.
Now Cleveland Police has reiterated the determination to find Florea.
A spokeswoman said: “This investigation remains very much live and efforts to locate Florea are ongoing, in order that he can be questioned in relation to the attack in North Ormesby early on the morning of June 7.
“A European Arrest Warrant (EAW) is just one tool at our disposal and there are strict criteria which we must meet before obtaining and then issuing an EAW.
“Meanwhile, we continue to work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and European police forces. Only when this man has been located will we have the opportunity to implement an EAW immediately.
It is believed that Florea, 26, left Teesside following the attack in the North Ormesby area.
The police subsequently made several appeals - including on Crimewatch - for help in locating him.
Once secured, a European arrest warrant would mean that he could be arrested in any EU country and be transferred back to Teesside.
The Gazette understands that in order to secure a European arrest warrant, the police force requesting it must have enough evidence to charge the suspect on arrest.
Speaking in October, Detective Inspector Mark Dimelow, who is leading the investigation, said: “We currently believe Florea to be either in the south-east of England or to have gone abroad, and we are therefore now seeking to secure a European arrest warrant which will allow foreign police forces to conduct any inquiries we request.”
The vicious sex attack left the 51-year-old victim with serious injuries, including a broken shoulder and broken nose.
She was punched and dragged down a footbridge before being sexually assaulted in the early-morning attack, which took place as the victim was walking to work.
It only stopped when a man came to her aid and chased the suspect.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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