AN emergency call handler has been commended for her actions, which led to the capture and conviction of a rapist.

Kujtin Rexha was jailed last year for 11 years for rape and for holding a 17-year-old girl against her will for two and a half months.

Rexha, of Jeffreys Road, Braintree, was holding his victim, a Romanian woman, captive at a car wash in Colchester Road, Little Bentley when she escaped and called 999.

But the victim did not speak English and could not tell the initial call handler where she was.

However, a second communications officer in the force control room, Cristina Gavrilovic, spoke Romanian and was able to translate.

As a result of her work, she established the woman was being held against her will in Little Bentley and had been sexually assaulted.

During their hour-long conversation, she translated for the distressed caller and continued to reassure her.

She also got a detailed description of Rexha, 43, his vehicle and his movements which resulted in his arrest.

The victim was never able to tell Miss Gavrilovic where she was but the call handler did find out she was near a petrol station.

She called the petrol station and asked the staff to take her in until the police arrived to take her to safety.

The incident took place in May last year. 

Miss Gavrilovic joined four police officers in receiving awards at a special ceremony at Essex Police HQ, in Chelmsford.

Their achievements included talking down a woman who threatened to harm herself, commitment to a complex child abuse investigation and work which led to the conviction of 18-year-old man who caused a serious road traffic collision.

Addressing the group, Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh said: "It is one of the high spots in my calendar to get together with the PCC and recognise the remarkable work our officers and staff do daily.

"We want to say thank you for your bravery, your dignity and your commitment during those stressful situations.”

Roger Hirst, Essex Police and Crime Commissioner, added: "I really am very lucky to be here today.

"The strong feeling across Essex is admiration for your hard work and these ceremonies celebrate the work of police.

"It’s fantastic for me to be here today, I come from a policing family and it’s lovely to see recognition for bravery. What you are doing is extremely valuable to our community."