Man, 24, sentenced for Corby robbery

A 24-year-old man has been sent to prison for more than four years after he robbed a woman at knifepoint in Corby.

At about 4am on March 7, 2022, Dumitru Dominte, previously of Lower Pastures, Corby, began following a woman who was walking to work in Corporation Street.

She made her way onto George Street and then Cottingham Road and it was at the junction of Studfall Avenue that Dominte decided to attack her.

Grabbing her from behind and dragging her onto the floor, he pulled out a kitchen knife and demanded she hand over money. He then grabbed her phone and smashed it onto the floor before making off after realising she wasn’t carrying any cash.

An investigation was launched by Northamptonshire Police and Dominte was quickly identified from DNA evidence he’d left on the woman’s phone.

He was arrested and subsequently charged with one count of robbery and one count of possession of an offensive weapon.

After pleading guilty to both offences at Northampton Crown Court in January, Dominte returned to the same court on Friday, June 28, where he was sentenced to four years and one month in prison.

The woman was left with a black eye and a cut to her neck as a result of the attack.

Lead investigator Detective Sergeant Matt Crick said: “This was a terrifying and random attack on a lone woman in the early hours of the morning so I am really pleased to see Dominte sent to prison for a number of years.

“Although attacks like this are rare, I hope our response reassures the community that Northamptonshire Police are equipped to robustly deliver justice in cases such as this and that tackling serious violence remains a priority for us.

“Finally I’d like to thank the victim in this case. What she went through that morning was nothing short of terrifying but she has shown immense bravery in supporting a police investigation and seeing this case through to the end. She should be proud of her courage and I hope the conclusion of this case brings her some closure and comfort.”  

During the sentencing hearing, Her Honour Judge Adrienne Lucking commended DS Crick for his diligent work on the case and the presentation of the file to the court.