COSMIN-NICOLAE VASIOIU AND HIS SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULT IN EXETER
A man identified as Cosmin-Nicolae Vasioiu has been handed an 18-year prison sentence after committing a brutal sexual assault in Exeter.Vasioiu, a Romanian national aged 47, was convicted of stalking a lone woman as she made her way home from a night out before brutally raping her in a graveyard setting.
The attack occurred in June of the previous year, during which Vasioiu followed his victim, a woman in her 30s, as she navigated her way through the streets of Exeter city centre.
His predatory behavior was caught on CCTV footage, which depicted him in Exeter High Street attempting to identify potential targets.
The footage then plainly showed Vasioiu trailing his victim as she crossed the Iron Bridge area, his pace quickening as he followed her.
The young woman fought back during the assault, attempting to resist Vasioiu, but he managed to strip her completely naked and raped her in the grounds of St Bartholomew’s Cemetery.
The victim's desperate screams eventually drew the attention of nearby residents, causing Vasioiu to flee the scene.
When authorities arrived, they found her naked and her clothing scattered across the cemetery grounds.
During the court proceedings at Exeter Crown Court, it was revealed that Vasioiu had a criminal history linked to a similar offence.
He had previously served time for a rape in Switzerland in 2014, involving an 18-year-old woman.
Despite Brexit, Vasioiu remained living in the UK, residing in a garden shed where he also did gardening work.
It was noted that after the attack, he shaved off his beard and hair, then enlisted a friend to wash his clothes and shoes, attempting to alter his appearance and remove evidence.
Felicity Payne, prosecuting, explained to the court that the attack was premeditated and occurred while Vasioiu was already under a community order for theft and assault.
She emphasized that he was actively searching for vulnerable women in Exeter, clearly seen on CCTV targeting women who appeared drunk or intoxicated.
The footage depicted him stopping involuntarily outside late-night drinking venues, seemingly observing from doorways as he waited for opportunities to attack.
The court heard that the victim was heavily intoxicated at the time, making her particularly vulnerable.
Despite her efforts to resist, Vasioiu was able to overpower her, leading to the sexual assault.
She was ultimately found naked, with her clothes strewn across the cemetery grounds.
Vasioiu initially denied the rape charge, but DNA evidence linked him conclusively to the attack, leading to a conviction by a jury following a trial.
His defense, led by Pushpanjali Gohil, acknowledged that there was little mitigation available given the nature of the offence and Vasioiu's denial.
The judge, Recorder Malcolm Galloway, expressed his concern that Vasioiu posed a significant danger to women, citing the pattern of his behavior and the chilling surveillance footage.
He highlighted that Vasioiu had been observed outside establishments late at night, waiting for vulnerable women to pass by.
The judge also noted the profound and lasting trauma suffered by the victim, who continues to live with the aftermath of that terrifying night.
In sentencing, Vasioiu was given 18 years imprisonment with an extended five-year licence period, meaning he must serve a minimum of 12 years before being eligible for parole.
The court also placed him on the sex offenders’ register for life.
After the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Samantha Wenham from the Major Crime Investigation Team stated her satisfaction with the outcome.
She praised the public's assistance, which, along with international inquiries, was instrumental in building the case.
She explained that Vasioiu had a prior conviction in Switzerland that matched the modus operandi of his Exeter attack, which was crucial in securing his conviction.
Wenham detailed that Vasioiu displayed a calculated effort to conceal his identity by removing hair and clothing, and attempted to destroy evidence, indicating he regarded himself as a victim rather than the perpetrator.
The authorities anticipate that Vasioiu will serve his sentence in the UK and then be deported back to Romania upon completion.
Wenham also expressed admiration for the victim's courage, stating, “She has been through an horrific ordeal that no person should be subjected to and showed great courage and strength throughout the investigation and criminal justice process.” Superintendent Antony Hart, Exeter's policing commander, reaffirmed the commitment of local law enforcement to ensure safety on the streets.
He emphasized that no one should feel unsafe walking home and that the justice served in this case underscores the seriousness with which such crimes are taken.
He added that proactive policing and cooperation with partner agencies remain priorities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
