BENIAMIN FROM NORTHAMPTON AND OVIDIU BAN SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC SEX ATTACK IN NORTHAMPTON TOWN CENTER

In April 2017, a disturbing case unfolded in Northampton, where two men were convicted and subsequently sentenced to a combined total of 42 years in prison for a heinous sexual assault involving a teenage girl. The incident, which took place in the heart of Northampton town center, shocked the community and drew significant attention from law enforcement and the judiciary alike.

During the sentencing at Northampton Crown Court on April 28, the presiding judge described the attack as 'vile, wicked, and violent,' emphasizing the brutality and predatory nature of the crime. The judge condemned the defendants for targeting what he called 'easy sexual prey,' highlighting the severity of their actions and the impact on the victim.

It was revealed during the court proceedings that one of the accused, Beniamin-Ovidiu Ban, aged 30 and residing on Clare Street in Northampton, had a troubling criminal history. He was found guilty of two counts of rape by a unanimous jury verdict in a trial held in December of the previous year. The evidence against Ban was described as 'overwhelming,' leaving little doubt about his guilt. It was also disclosed that Ban had a prior conviction for rape in Romania, which added to concerns about his dangerousness.

The second defendant, Cosmin Vintan, aged 27 and also living on Clare Street in Northampton, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape. Vintan's criminal record was similarly troubling, as he had a previous conviction for a 'disturbingly similar' attack in Romania. He was released from prison in 2013 after serving eight years for that offense.

The attack occurred in the early hours of a Sunday morning in April 2016. The victim, a 17-year-old girl, was out in Northampton town center, walking alone after her friends had left in a taxi. She was heading from The Drapery towards Bridge Street to meet her boyfriend, who worked as a doorman. According to the judge, Vintan had put his arm around her and forcibly steered her into a dark, secluded alleyway. Ban followed them into the alley, where both men committed the assault one after the other. The judge described how the attackers threatened to kill her if she screamed, further emphasizing the brutality of the attack. The victim sustained cuts, bruises, and grazes across her body as a result of the assault.

Following the attack, CCTV footage captured the girl staggering out of the alley, visibly distressed. Police were called shortly thereafter, and the two offenders attempted to escape by running to a nearby taxi. However, DNA evidence collected by Northamptonshire Police linked Vintan to the crime scene, leading to their swift arrest.

In her sentencing remarks, Judge Smith highlighted the profound impact on the victim. Statements from her indicated that she was now terrified of the dark, plagued by nightmares, and had lost her confidence. The court also addressed the defendants' attitudes and remorse, or lack thereof. Vintan's previous conviction was cited as evidence of his pattern of violent sexual behavior and his apparent lack of remorse or insight into the harm caused. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison. Ban, who maintained his innocence and showed no remorse, was sentenced to 19 years. The judge noted that Ban believed the victim was consenting, a dangerous misconception rooted in his sense of entitlement to sex. Both men will be registered as sex offenders for life, reflecting the seriousness of their crimes and the ongoing risk they pose to society.