CONTROLLING HUSBAND SENTENCED FOR MURDER OF WIFE IN PLUMSTEAD
Vasile Bratu, aged 40, has been convicted of the murder of his wife, Constanta Bunea, 49, by a jury at Woolwich Crown Court.The court heard that Bratu was a controlling spouse who forced Constanta into an unhappy life and misused her financial resources.
The incident took place on April 4, when Bratu stabbed Constanta in the back with a pair of scissors inside their bathroom on Ravine Grove in Plumstead.
He later contacted emergency services, claiming she had fallen on the scissors, but authorities found her with a 10cm deep wound.
Damage to the bathroom lock suggested she had attempted to secure herself inside before the attack.
Bratu initially stated that the altercation started because Constanta wanted to cut her hair—a request he disapproved of because he thought it would not suit her—and claimed she injured herself after he forced entry into the bathroom, leading her to fall onto the scissors.
The jury found him guilty of her murder, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years to serve.
The court described Bratu as a violent and manipulative man who had overwhelmed his wife with his controlling behaviour.
Constanta had come to the UK from Romania seeking a better life for her family and was described as a loving mother and grandmother.
Detective Chief Inspector Kate Kieran stated that Bratu was a violent, controlling partner and expressed her satisfaction with the outcome of the case.
