A violent thug who kicked a six-year-old girl to the ground in a busy Peterborough street has been jailed for one year and seven months following a series of unprovoked attacks on three victims.
Catalin Ganciu, 28, approached the young child on Lincoln Road in Millfield on 26 April and delivered a brutal kick to her head, knocking her to the ground in an attack that was captured on video and subsequently went viral on social media.
Cambridge Crown Court heard on Wednesday how Ganciu bizarrely helped the child to her feet after the assault before fleeing the scene, leaving the youngster requiring hospital treatment for her injuries.
The court was told that following the initial attack, a woman who witnessed Ganciu waving his arms around offered to help him, believing he was in distress. When she entered a nearby shop to fetch him water, Ganciu followed her inside and punched her in the face before running away again.
This was an horrific series of unprovoked attacks by Ganciu, and I have no doubt that his actions will have a lasting impact on the victims,” said DC Hannah Cooke, who led the investigation.
When police officers arrived to arrest Ganciu, he launched another violent assault, punching an officer in the stomach. Once detained and placed in a police van, he continued his rampage by repeatedly kicking the vehicle’s interior, causing criminal damage.
The 28-year-old, of Gladstone Street, Peterborough, pleaded guilty to two counts of actual bodily harm, one count of assault by beating of an emergency worker and one count of criminal damage.
DC Cooke described Ganciu as a “dangerous” individual following his arrest. “He is clearly a very dangerous man who has no respect for other people, or the law,” she stated.
The detective constable confirmed that all three victims sustained injuries in the attacks, with the six-year-old girl requiring hospital assessment. “Ganciu caused minor injuries to all three of his victims, and the six-year-old girl had to be taken to hospital to be checked over,” she explained.
The shocking nature of the attack on the child, which occurred at approximately 2pm on a Saturday afternoon in the busy shopping area, sparked widespread outrage when footage circulated on social media platforms over the weekend following the incident.
Ganciu initially appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday 28 April, where he entered guilty pleas to all charges. The case was then referred to Cambridge Crown Court for sentencing due to the serious nature of the offences.
The attack took place on Lincoln Road, a major thoroughfare in the Millfield area of Peterborough known for its diverse community and busy shopping district. The brazen daylight assault on such a young victim in a crowded public space heightened community concerns about public safety.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary moved swiftly following the incident, with officers attending the scene and successfully apprehending Ganciu despite his violent resistance. The force’s rapid response helped reassure a community shocked by the unprovoked nature of the attacks.
The case highlights the vulnerability of children in public spaces and the importance of swift police action in bringing violent offenders to justice. The viral nature of the video footage also demonstrated the role social media can play in raising awareness of serious crimes.
DC Cooke emphasised the inexcusable nature of the violence, particularly given the age of the youngest victim. “Violence like this is inexcusable, especially towards a young child, and I am pleased he is now behind bars,” she said.
The sentencing brings to a close a case that shocked the local community and drew widespread condemnation. Ganciu will serve his sentence of one year and seven months in prison, during which time his victims can begin to recover from their ordeal.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of public vigilance and the need to report violent incidents to police immediately. Cambridgeshire Constabulary continues to encourage anyone who witnesses violent crime to contact them on 101 or in emergencies, 999.
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