Cosmin-Nicolae Vasioiu, the Exeter Rapist, who repeatedly committed sexual assault and followed his victim as she was returning home from a night out, subsequently engaging in non-consensual sexual intercourse with her in a cemetery, has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment lasting 18 years. In June of last year, Cosmin-Nicolae Vasioiu, a 47-year-old individual who had been found guilty of rape, deliberately searched for a solitary woman to assault in Exeter city centre.
The Romanian perpetrator pursued his target as she made her way home after a night out with friends and assaulted her within the premises of St Bartholomew’s Cemetery. She attempted to resist him, but he forcibly removed her clothing and sexually assaulted her. He only ceased his actions after she vocalised her distress, which alerted surrounding residents to her desperate situation.
The CCTV film, accessible at the beginning of this post, depicts Cosmin-Nicolae Vasioiu in Exeter High Street before the assault, attempting to discern potential targets. The footage unequivocally depicted Vasioiu tailing his female victim, who is in her thirties, as they traversed the Iron Bridge vicinity in Exeter.
According to the proceedings at Exeter Crown Court, it was revealed that Vasioiu had arrived in Britain after completing a prison term for a very similar rape of an 18-year-old lady in Switzerland in 2014. Despite the occurrence of Brexit, he chose to stay in the UK without applying for EU-settled status, resulting in his earlier criminal records not being brought to the attention of the authorities.
Cosmin-Nicolae Vasioiu, while residing in a garden shed and engaged in gardening activities, perpetrated his most recent sexual assault. Subsequently, he removed his facial hair and cut it, and then enlisted the assistance of a friend to launder his garments and footwear.
Felicity Payne, the prosecutor, told the court that the crime was premeditated and occurred while Vasioiu was under a community order for theft and violence.
“According to the prosecution’s argument presented during the trial, they claim that he was purposefully searching the city centre to identify potential victims for sexual assault,” she stated. “He accomplished this task when he identified the victim.” At that juncture, she was considerably more impaired as a result of drinking.
“He was observed on closed-circuit television (CCTV) tracking the victim and changing his direction, crossing the road, and his speed is seen to increase as he pursues her.” The victim tried to combat the defendant yet proved incapable of resisting. Eventually, she started to shout for assistance, and the accused swiftly fled.
Upon discovery, she was found unclothed with her garments scattered across the cemetery.
The accused, residing on Topsham Road in Exeter, had pleaded not guilty to the charge of rape. However, a jury found him guilty after a trial since DNA evidence established a connection between him and the victim. Pushpanjali Gohil, in her defence, stated that there is little justification she can provide since the offence was rejected.
Magistrate Malcolm Galloway determined that Vasioiu presented a threat to women owing to the likelihood of committing more crimes and hence ordered an extended sentence. Cosmin-Nicolae Vasioiu received a prison sentence of 18 years, with an additional five years on licence. He will be required to serve a minimum of 12 years in prison before being eligible to petition for parole.
“The judge described the CCTV footage obtained by the police from the city centre after the rape as both clear and chilling,” the judge stated. You conducted surveillance in Exeter city centre to identify solitary, susceptible women. The CCTV footage captures you halting outside nocturnal drinking places and discreetly surveying the premises from entrances.
“I am confident that you were anticipating the arrival of an opportunity.” It is evident from the accessible CCTV footage that anyone observing your victim in the same manner as you did would quickly recognise that she was significantly intoxicated and in a vulnerable state.
The CCTV footage captures Vasioiu trailing his target as they traverse the Iron Bridge vicinity in Exeter.
“The assault and its consequences have deeply and enduringly impacted her, and she continues to cope with the traumatic events of that night.” The judge stated that Cosmin-Nicolae Vasioiu had shown no remorse for the conduct and perceived himself as the aggrieved party.
“I concur with the probation service’s observation that your misogyny, sexual preoccupation, and distorted perception of consent are all probable factors that will contribute to your likelihood of committing another offence,” he stated. “I am confident that you currently and will continue to be a significant threat for committing more sexual offences shortly.”
Cosmin-Nicolae Vasioiu was also indefinitely registered as a sex offender. Following the trial in May, Detective Sergeant Samantha Wenham, a member of the Major Crime Investigation Team, expressed her approval of the sentence given to Cosmin-Nicolae Vasioiu, who was convicted guilty of rape.
“He targeted a solitary woman whom he had never encountered and subjected her to a brutal assault without any sense of guilt or remorse.”
Afterwards, he returned to his accommodation and packed his clothes, which he handed to an unsuspecting acquaintance for laundering. He shaved off his long hair to alter his look and eliminate any evidence that could connect him to the attack.
“This was a premeditated and deliberate act in which Vasioiu has displayed a complete lack of remorse.” The public’s response to our requests was crucial in obtaining the CCTV footage, which was pivotal in identifying and apprehending Vasioiu.
The investigation team made extraordinary efforts to obtain the evidence necessary to establish Vasioiu as the perpetrator conclusively.
“The team conducted several international investigations and found that Cosmin-Nicolae Vasioiu had a previous conviction in Switzerland that closely resembled the attack in Exeter, both in terms of how it was executed and Vasioiu’s behaviour after the attack.”
“This enabled us to take the uncommon measure of sharing Vasioiu’s prior negative character and history of offences with the jury during the trial, which was crucial in obtaining the conviction.”
Cosmin-Nicolae Vasioiu is anticipated to finish his sentence in the UK before being repatriated to Romania.
DS Wenham expressed his team’s desire to acknowledge and pay tribute to the victim involved in this case. She endured a harrowing trauma that no individual should experience and demonstrated remarkable bravery and resilience during the inquiry and legal proceedings.
“She entrusted us with her trust, and I anticipate that today’s outcome will facilitate her progress and aid in her recuperation from this distressing experience.”
Superintendent Antony Hart, the policing commander for Exeter, emphasised that it is imperative for everyone to feel secure when walking on our streets and that each individual has the entitlement to walk home without the apprehension of being assaulted.
“The sentencing today demonstrates the gravity of the offence and the effect this incident has had on the victim.” We are committed to employing all available means to apprehend perpetrators and deter future similar acts, employing proactive law enforcement strategies and collaborating with various partner organisations within the city.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.