FLORIS-ADRIAN GHERGHELAU SENTENCED FOR CRUEL SEX ATTACK IN SURREY
A man identified as Floris-Adrian Gherghelau, aged 25, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term following his conviction for a brutal and shocking sexual assault that took place in the Surrey town of Camberley.The assault, described by the court as both incredulous and extremely cruel, involved a 90-minute attack carried out in a secluded, bush-covered area.
Gherghelau, a stranger to his teenage victim, was discovered to have followed her and then forcibly seized her in an isolated location.
The incident left the victim, who was just 18 at the time, traumatized, and the impact of the attack on her mental health was profound.
She subsequently took an overdose, which was explicitly linked to the assault's terrifying nature, as noted by Recorder June Venters QC during the sentencing at Guildford Crown Court on Friday, March 8.
During the hearing, a victim impact statement was read, revealing the deep distress suffered by the young woman.
She recounted feeling unsupported and overwhelmed, leading to her overdose as a cry for help.
Following this, she was referred to a psychologist to aid in her recovery.
Her statement highlighted her ongoing struggles, including her inability to sleep without holding a knife in bed, and her fear that she might never fully recover from the trauma.
Prosecutor Ryan Richter detailed how Gherghelau’s admission of guilt during police interviews starkly contrasted with his court denials.
Despite initially confessing to the attack, he later denied the charges.
During his testimony, Gherghelau claimed that the encounter was consensual, asserting that he had kissed the victim and that they had gone into the bushes together to engage in sexual activity.
However, this assertion was widely dismissed by the court.
The judge, Recorder Venters, delivered a firm judgment, condemning Gherghelau’s actions as both incredulous and cruel.
She emphasized the additional humiliation inflicted upon the victim, who was subjected to further emotional distress when Gherghelau suggested the encounter was consensual.
The court heard that the victim desperately tried to escape during the assault, even offering to pay her attacker to let her go.
Her screams and struggle underscored her terror and helplessness.
Legal representatives for Gherghelau, including defence counsel Lyall Thompson, acknowledged that he exhibited no remorse, showing only regret for his own predicament rather than for his actions.
The defence advanced the argument that this was a first-time offence, hinting that it might have been an impulsive act driven by low intelligence, and posed the question of whether it could be a one-off lapse.
The court learned that Gherghelau, a Romanian national, was almost certain to face deportation upon completing his sentence, which was handed down as 14 years in prison.
This term was later extended to 16 years, with two years on licence.
Additionally, he has been placed on the sex offenders register for life.
The Surrey Police’s investigation played a crucial role in securing the conviction.
After the assault, the victim sought assistance at a nearby petrol station, where staff contacted authorities.
Witnesses provided a detailed description of the attacker, and forensic evidence confirmed Gherghelau’s involvement when DNA analysis matched samples taken from the victim.
Subsequently, police executed warrants at his address, where multiple males’ elimination samples were taken, leading to his arrest after the DNA evidence was confirmed.
Commenting outside the court, Detective Sergeant Adam Ramiz praised the victim’s bravery in reporting the crime and supporting the police investigation.
He highlighted the trauma she experienced and expressed satisfaction with the lengthy sentence handed down, which he agreed reflected the severity and danger posed by Gherghelau’s actions, describing him as a serious and dangerous offender.
