Rapist Jailed For Attacking 18 Year-Old Barmaid

A rapist who attacked a teenage barmaid in the early hours after she left work is starting a ten-year prison sentence.

Romanian Serban Scinteianu, 32, stalked the 18 year-old victim to a residential building in Brixton and raped her three times in the stairway.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of rape and was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court, which ordered he spend an additional seven years on licence post-release.

The victim left work at the pub at around 4.30am on June 2 2019 and walked along Somerleyton Road. 

She was followed by Scinteianu into a residential building.

He stood near her and stared at her, causing the victim to feel uncomfortable as she made her way to the stairs.

She was attacked by Scinteianu and raped three times. 

Scinteianu ignored her repeated pleas to stop and she was only able to escape when she convinced him to let her leave to get a drink.

She fled, followed by Scinteianu, and made her way to a busy area where she approached a member of the public and said what had happened. 

The member of the public directed her to nearby Brixton Police Station and assured the victim he would stop Scinteianu if he tried to follow.

Scinteianu, seeing this, turned around and began walking back to the scene while the victim reported the incident.

A description of Scinteianu was circulated and was identified by officers as matching that of a man ordered to leave the area in which the victim was attacked following reports of antisocial behaviour.

Officers returned to the scene and found Scinteianu asleep on a mattress around the back of the residential building in which the victim had been attacked.

He was arrested and refused to comment or give an account during interview. 

CCTV was recovered clearly identifying Scinteianu as being responsible.

Detective Constable Esther Pugh said: "This was a horrifying attack by Scinteianu on this young woman.

“I would like to comment on how brave she has been throughout this investigation. 

“Her swift initial actions in going to the police lead to Scinteianu being apprehended at the scene and valuable evidence being seized which was fundamental in securing a conviction against him."

Acting Detective Inspector David Adams said: “Scinteianu is a vile and opportunistic predator who carried out a sickening sustained attack. 

“The victim was courageous in making her escape and going straight to police, who quickly arrested Scinteianu.

“I would like to thank the victim who has displayed immeasurable bravery in supporting our investigation, and my investigating team, who have worked hard to put this man behind bars.”