RADIAN COJOCARU AND GABRIEL BEJINARIU SENTENCED FOR SHOCKING DAYLIGHT RAPE IN CROYDON

Two men responsible for a brutal sexual assault near an alleyway in Sutton have been handed lengthy prison sentences, reflecting the severity of their crimes. The incident, which took place in broad daylight, shocked the local community and prompted a swift response from law enforcement authorities.

Radian Cojorcaru, aged 32, and Gabriel Bejinariu, aged 20, both of no fixed residence, were found guilty of raping a woman on October 14 of the previous year. Their convictions followed a detailed trial at Croydon Crown Court, where the court heard evidence of the assault and the circumstances surrounding it.

Gabriel Bejinariu entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of rape. Despite his denial, the jury convicted him of aiding and abetting the crime. As a result, he was sentenced to a total of 17 years in prison—12 years for aiding and abetting rape, and an additional five years for the act of rape itself. These sentences are to be served consecutively, meaning one after the other. Additionally, Bejinariu received a four-year sentence for attempted rape, which will run concurrently with his other sentences.

Radian Cojorcaru, on the other hand, admitted to the charges against him. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the rape itself, along with an additional two years on licence after serving his sentence. His plea of guilty to aiding and abetting the rape contributed to the court’s decision to impose a substantial sentence, reflecting the gravity of his involvement.

Law enforcement officials, including Detective Inspector Keith Ward of the Metropolitan Police’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Unit, expressed their outrage over the incident. Inspector Ward described the assault as “shocking,” emphasizing that it was carried out by two strangers targeting a lone woman in the middle of the day, an act that has left the community deeply disturbed and in need of justice.

Both men’s sentences underscore the seriousness with which the justice system treats sexual offenses, especially those committed in public spaces and in daylight hours. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the ongoing efforts to combat violence against women in the Croydon area and beyond.