BRIDGWATER RAPIST ALIN VASILE LERCOSAN SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS FOR SHOCKING ATTACK

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Bridgwater, a 27-year-old man named Alin-Vasile Lercosan has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of a brutal sexual assault on a stranger. The assault occurred in the early hours of January 28th in a secluded parking area off Friarn Street, where Lercosan ambushed a 25-year-old woman as she was walking home.

According to court reports, Lercosan’s attack was premeditated, with CCTV footage revealing his predatory behavior. The footage, described by investigators as 'chilling,' clearly shows Lercosan waiting on the streets of Bridgwater, deliberately following the woman, and then launching his assault. The victim, who attended the sentencing at Taunton Crown Court, expressed her pain and frustration, stating that no punishment could truly compensate for what she endured. She shared her feelings in a personal statement, saying, “No sentence could ever justify what he did to me.”

During the court proceedings, Lercosan pleaded guilty to the charges, acknowledging his guilt early on, largely due to the overwhelming evidence against him. His admission of guilt was a significant factor in the court’s decision to impose a seven-year prison term. The victim, in her statement, conveyed her hope for some measure of closure, saying, “I’m begging that today will bring me a tiny amount of closure.”

Detective Inspector Hadley Rides, of Operation Soteria Bluestone—a specialized team dedicated to tackling rape and serious sexual assault—led the investigation. He highlighted the importance of the CCTV evidence, which played a crucial role in securing the conviction. DI Rides emphasized that Lercosan’s actions were calculated and malicious, and that his early admission to the crime was facilitated by the strength and resilience of the victim, who faced her attacker in court despite her trauma.

The victim has received ongoing support from an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor throughout the investigation and court process. She continues to access support services to aid her recovery. Meanwhile, Lercosan faces additional penalties beyond his prison sentence, including an extended license period and a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order, aimed at preventing any future offenses and protecting the community of Bridgwater from further harm.