Romanian Rapists Attacked Middle-Aged Woman

Cojorcaru & Bejinariu

Two Romanians, who raped a lone middle-aged woman the day after meeting up at Victoria Coach Station, have been locked-up.

Radian Cojorcaru, 32, and Gabriel Bejinariu, 20, pounced on the 53 year-old woman after travelling from central London to Carshalton, Surrey.

The homeless duo were both convicted at Croydon Crown Court of raping her on October 14, last year.

Cojocaru pleaded guilty to rape and aiding and abetting rape and received 12 years imprisonment.

Bejinariu denied the charge, forcing the victim to give evidence, but was found guilty by a jury of rape; attempted rape and aiding and abetting rape.

He received 17 years imprisonment.

The court heard the two men met at the coach station on October 13, last year.

They travelled to the Carshalton area the next day and then, at 3.00pm, attacked the woman as she approached an alleyway near to Shorts Road.

A member of the public - who saw what was happening - challenged the two men and then ran after them.

Cojocaru was detained on the car port roof of a nearby house until officers arrived.

Bejinariu was arrested a week later after he was identified on CCTV footage from the coach station.

Detective Inspector Keith Ward, of the Metropolitan Police's Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Unit, said: “This was a shocking assault by two strangers on a lone woman in broad daylight.

“The courage of a member of the public enabled us to arrest one man and I would like to thank him for his brave actions.

“The victim has also shown considerable courage to give evidence during Bejinariu’s trial.

“I’m glad that the prison sentences given to these two men means they will be off the streets of London for a considerable period of time.