FOUR MEN JAILED FOR RAPING WOMAN IN EALING
Four men have been sentenced to a total of more than 71 years in prison after being convicted of raping a woman in Ealing.The assault was a prolonged and repeated attack that occurred following a meeting at a nightclub in August 2017.
Detective Constable Angie Meadows, who led the investigation, stated: “From my experience, this is among the worst assaults I have ever handled, and they merit such extensive prison terms.” Octavian Lupu, aged 31 from Coldharbour Lane, Hayes, received a 20-year prison sentence at Isleworth Crown Court on Wednesday, 12 May, after being convicted of rape at the same court the previous day.
The court was told that the four accused men were present at a nightclub in Ealing on the night of 12 August 2017.
CCTV footage showed Lupu approaching various women, dancing with the victim, and purchasing drinks for her.
The woman intended to take a taxi home but left the club with Lupu after her phone stopped working, as he offered to help organize a taxi.
She subsequently remembers being placed in the back of a vehicle with the four men, who drove her to a Northolt address where she was inside and repeatedly raped by all four men over a period of approximately 90 minutes.
After the assault, the suspects returned her clothing and arranged a taxi to take her home.
She then went to hospital, contacting police officers who responded and launched an investigation.
Law enforcement used CCTV from the club and the venue’s ID system to identify the four men, who were subsequently arrested and interviewed.
All four denied the allegations and provided differing accounts of the events.
Detective Constable Meadows added: “The victim was out with friends when she was subjected to this horrific assault by these men, who showed no remorse during the investigation.
“I hope this case’s outcome helps her find some closure and start moving forward.
She demonstrated great strength and bravery in reporting the attack and supporting the investigation.
“Women's safety remains a priority for the Metropolitan Police, and we urge anyone who has experienced or witnessed a sexual assault to contact us.
Our trained officers will support you and take every allegation seriously.”
