CORNEL POPA FROM WALTHAM CROSS JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES ON BUSES IN HERTFORDSHIRE

In a disturbing series of incidents that took place on public transport in Hertfordshire, Cornel Popa, a 44-year-old man from Waltham Cross, has been sentenced to prison for multiple sex offences committed on buses. The case, which drew significant attention from local authorities and the court, revealed a pattern of predatory behavior targeting young teenage girls during their daily commutes.

Popa, a father of four, was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and four counts of outraging public decency. His actions spanned several months and involved several victims, all of whom were minors traveling to school or college. The court proceedings detailed how Popa would approach these young girls, often sitting close to them on buses and engaging in lewd conduct, including rubbing himself in front of them and making inappropriate remarks.

The incidents first came to light in January when Popa was arrested for touching the bottom of a woman cyclist. Although he was released on bail, the authorities continued their investigation. The following month, Popa was caught on a bus traveling between Hatfield and Stevenage, where he again engaged in indecent behavior by rubbing his private parts over his trousers in front of another female passenger. This act left her visibly shocked and distressed.

The most alarming incident occurred on March 12, when Popa boarded a bus heading towards Ware. The bus was filled with teenage students on their way to school. According to prosecutor Simon Stirling, Popa sat opposite a 16-year-old girl, kissed her hand, and expressed his liking for her. During this encounter, he was observed rubbing his crotch area and told her, “This is for you.” The girl, noticing his lewd behavior and her lip piercing, was understandably frightened and quickly disembarked from the bus. Later that day, another teenage girl, aged 17, was approached by Popa on a different bus. She also saw him rubbing himself and eventually reported his behavior to the driver.

Another young girl on the same bus noticed Popa seemingly getting a “thrill” from his actions as he rubbed himself over his clothing in front of her. The court heard that Popa’s behavior was not isolated to these incidents; he had previously admitted to sexually assaulting a woman cyclist in January. For this offence, he received a two-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with supervision and an unpaid work order.

Despite this, Popa’s troubles did not end there. On the same day he appeared in court, after being sentenced, he was immediately re-arrested for the offences committed earlier that morning. The court also learned that Popa has a criminal history in Romania, including a conviction for attempted rape, for which he served five years in prison.

Judge John Plumstead sentenced Popa to a total of three years and four months in prison. During the sentencing, the judge emphasized the danger Popa poses to the public, stating, “Unless he changes, this man is a danger to his victims.” The court also ordered that Popa’s name be added to the sex offenders register and imposed a sexual offences prevention order. This order restricts him from approaching lone women in public places, including buses, and prohibits him from placing his hands down his trousers in public.

Furthermore, the judge noted that Popa’s four children had returned to Romania with their mother and were now in care, highlighting the impact of his actions on his family. The case underscores the importance of vigilance on public transport and the need for strict enforcement of laws protecting vulnerable individuals from sexual misconduct in public spaces.