COSTACHE-FLAVIUIS RUSET AND HIS SHOCKING ASSAULTS IN BASINGSTOKE

On Monday, 12 June, a man named Costache-Flaviuis Ruset was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of a series of violent and sexual crimes that occurred during a night out in Basingstoke. Ruset, aged 30, received a total of nine years in prison, coupled with an extended license period of six additional years, bringing the overall duration of his supervised release to 15 years. He had earlier admitted to charges including attempted rape, assault by penetration, attempted grievous bodily harm (GBH), and actual bodily harm (ABH) during a hearing at Winchester Crown Court.

The incident that led to Ruset’s conviction unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, 18 February. According to the court proceedings, a CCTV operator on duty in Basingstoke was monitoring the town’s surveillance footage when they noticed a suspicious scene involving a man and two women on Timberlake Road. Recognizing the potential danger, the CCTV operator immediately alerted police through the police radio link. The footage revealed that Ruset had pulled one of the women to the ground and was assaulting her.

The court detailed that the two women, both in their twenties, had been walking home after a night out in Basingstoke when the incident occurred. One of the women had stopped to look for an item they had dropped, leaving the other on Timberlake Road. As she waited, the woman was approached by an unknown man, later identified as Ruset. Without warning or obvious provocation, Ruset pushed her onto the ground and made an attempt to commit rape.

Shortly after, the woman’s friend returned to the scene, which caused Ruset to stand up and vacate the area. As they began to walk away, Ruset unexpectedly ran after them, delivering a brutal kick to the woman’s back that caused her to fall. He then proceeded to stamp on her head and punch her multiple times while she was still on the ground. His assault did not stop there; he turned his attention to the other woman, striking and knocking her down as well.

The assault was abruptly interrupted when police sirens and flashing blue lights approached. Ruset made a run for it, but the police quickly gave chase. Meanwhile, the CCTV operator continued to track Ruset’s movements via surveillance footage, providing police officers with real-time updates on his whereabouts and direction of travel.

The footage showed Ruset hiding behind some commercial bins in Feathers Yard, a detail that the CCTV operator communicated to the officers on the scene. Ruset was subsequently apprehended at approximately 4.36 am, shortly after his escape. He was detained and charged with the offences committed that night.

When Ruset appeared before Winchester Crown Court on 22 March, he pleaded guilty to all charges. Today, the court handed down the sentence of nine years in prison, augmented by a six-year extended license period, which effectively means he will be under supervision for a total of 15 years.

Detective Inspector Mike Higgins, from the Northern Investigation Team, commented on the case, emphasizing the profound impact on the victims and commending their resilience. He expressed gratitude to the CCTV controller for his swift response in alerting authorities, which played a crucial role in apprehending Ruset before further harm could occur. Inspector Higgins highlighted the importance of surveillance technology and rapid police response in such cases, stating that Ruset’s guilty plea and swift arrest reflected the effectiveness of these combined efforts.

Higgins also reinforced the community’s right to safety, condemning Ruset as a dangerous and predatory individual who will now serve a lengthy prison sentence for his actions. He stressed that no one should ever live in fear when walking the streets, regardless of the time of day or night. The officer reaffirmed the police commitment to tackling violence and sexual offences, underlining that offenders like Ruset will be pursued relentlessly.

The case also underscores the ongoing efforts by police to address violence against women and girls. The Operation Amberstone team, composed of specially trained officers, continues to focus intensely on identifying and prosecuting perpetrators of rape and sexual violence, providing support and resources to survivors affected by such crimes.

Anyone who has experienced sexual abuse or assault is encouraged to report it by calling 101. The police assure all complainants that their cases will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity, and help and support are available to those in need.