SERBAN SCINTEIANU SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL RAPE IN BRIXTON

In October 2019, a man was sentenced to serve a significant prison term after committing a heinous sexual assault in Brixton. Serban Scinteianu, a 31-year-old Romanian national with no fixed address, was convicted of raping an 18-year-old woman in a disturbing incident that took place in the early hours of June 2, 2019.

Scinteianu was handed a sentence of ten years in prison by the Inner London Crown Court on Thursday, October 3. Additionally, upon his release, he will be subject to a further seven years on licence, ensuring close supervision for an extended period. The court proceedings revealed that Scinteianu had pleaded guilty to three counts of rape during a hearing in July, acknowledging his involvement in the assault.

The court detailed the events leading up to the conviction. The victim, an 18-year-old woman, had finished her shift at a local pub and was walking along Somerleyton Road around 4:30 a.m. when she was followed by Scinteianu into a nearby residential building. Witnesses reported that he stood close to her, staring in a manner that made her feel uneasy, prompting her to attempt to distance herself by heading towards the stairs.

However, the situation escalated as Scinteianu attacked her, raping her three times despite her repeated pleas for him to stop. The victim managed to convince him to let her leave temporarily by claiming she needed to get a drink. Seizing this opportunity, she fled the scene, with Scinteianu following her. She then sought refuge in a busy area where she approached a member of the public, explaining what had happened.

The concerned individual directed her to the nearby Brixton police station and assured her that he would intervene if Scinteianu attempted to follow her. As the victim reported the assault, Scinteianu was seen turning around and walking back towards the scene. Law enforcement officers, having been alerted, circulated a description of the suspect. They identified him as a man who had been ordered to leave the area earlier due to reports of antisocial behavior.

Later, police officers located Scinteianu asleep on a mattress behind the residential building where the attack occurred. He was promptly arrested. During the police interview, he refused to comment or provide any explanation for his actions. CCTV footage recovered from the scene clearly identified him as the perpetrator, confirming his involvement in the assault.

Scinteianu was formally charged on June 3 and remanded in custody. The case highlights the importance of community vigilance and swift law enforcement response in addressing violent crimes and protecting victims in Brixton.