ROMANIAN RAPIST FROM ARBROATH GETS 5 YEARS AND FACES DEPORTATION
A remorseless offender from Tayside has been informed that he will be deported back to Romania after being convicted of attacking a woman.Valentin Lovin, aged 31, was found guilty of rape and assault in December.
Lovin, a resident of Marketgait, Arbroath, was sentenced to five years imprisonment on that same day.
Due to his clean criminal record, Lady Haldane requested reports on him following his trial last year.
During his court hearing at the Dundee High Court, it was revealed Lovin remained convinced that his victim had consented to sexual activity, despite the court's findings, demonstrating a lack of understanding about consent.
The court noted his attitude and failure to recognize that the woman did not agree to his actions.
He was convicted at Glasgow High Court of raping and assaulting a woman in Annan on November 17, 2019.
Lady Haldane stated Lovin did not learn from his previous experience because he still fails to see that his victim did not consent.
She sentenced him to five years in prison, emphasizing the severity of rape as a crime.
Her comments highlighted his persistent belief that his victim was receptive to the sexual acts, and she condemned his complete lack of understanding of consent.
The court also made it clear that Lovin's attitude showed no remorse, stating: “It shows a complete lack of understanding of consent.” In mitigation, David Moggach QC explained Lovin had no other offences of similar nature and was employed diligently when in the UK, splitting his time mainly between Arbroath and Dumfries.
He added Lovin, who came to this country from Romania in 2017 to work, was single, 31, and had one minor road traffic offence conviction.
The court acknowledged his good work ethic but reiterated that a custodial sentence was inevitable, and Lovin would be deported following his sentence.
Lady Haldane expressed that Lovin had not learned from his conviction because he still believed he was justified, despite the court's ruling, and reiterated the seriousness of his crime.
She ordered the extradition and deportation process to ensure he left the UK after serving his sentence.
