Three individuals have been sentenced to a total of 53 years in prison for kidnapping a 12-year-old girl from an Asda car park and subjecting her to a 72-hour rape ordeal while under the influence of drugs. Kevin Horvath, 26, Ivan Turtak, 38, and Ernest Gunar, 27, were found guilty after a trial at Canterbury Crown Court, where the prosecution described the girl as being “used, abused, and discarded like trash.”
The victim’s parents expressed the profound impact on their daughter, noting her drastic change in behavior and increased fearfulness. The girl was coerced into a car in an Asda car park in Dover, Kent, given drugs, including crystal meth and amphetamine, and repeatedly assaulted by the perpetrators over the course of three days.
The harrowing experience finally came to an end on August 13 when the girl managed to escape through a window despite threats from the men. The prosecution highlighted the callous and exploitative nature of the defendants’ actions, emphasizing the victim’s suffering.
Following the convictions, the victim’s mother shared the profound trauma her daughter experienced, highlighting the girl’s struggles with fear and withdrawal. The parents revealed their protective nature towards their daughter, limiting her outings to supervised trips to nearby locations. Despite the ordeal, the girl displayed bravery and resilience during the investigation and evidence collection process.
Turtak and Horvath were each sentenced to 17 years in prison with an additional three years on extended licence, while Gunar received a 19-year prison term with an additional three years on extended licence. The girl’s ordeal has left a lasting impact on her and her family, with ongoing support needed to help her recover from the traumatic events.
