A brutal thug who subjected a woman to a horrifying sexual attack in a park in North London which left her unconscious with cuts and bruises all over her body has been convicted of attempted rape. Bogdan Ungureanu, 41, of no fixed address was found guilty following a trial at Kingston Crown Court which concluded on Friday after an investigation by officers from the Metropolitan Police’s rape and serious sexual offences team. He was found not guilty of rape.
Prior to the attempted rape trial, he pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and fraud, and will be sentenced for all offences at the same court on Thursday, July 27.
Ungureanu was arrested after detectives painstakingly reviewed hours of CCTV and matched the suspect to items left behind and taken from the scene, the court was told.
Speaking after his conviction, Detective Constable Arvind Gogna, part of the investigation team, said: “This was a horrific attack which has understandably left the victim traumatised, so much so that she now struggles to leave the house.
“She has shown tremendous courage in supporting our investigation and giving evidence in this trial. It is thanks to her that this man has been convicted.
“We hope that this case will encourage others who have been victim to serious sexual offences to come forward and speak to us.”
Police were called on August 28, 2021, by members of the public who had come to the aid of a woman shouting in Watling Park, Barnet.
The woman said she had been sitting in the park when she was approached by an unknown man who physically and sexually assaulted her, leaving her unconscious.
She was left with bruising and cuts across her body, as well as a black eye.
The suspect also stole the victim’s handbag, including her purse – which he later used to purchase alcohol, tobacco and lottery tickets.
A crime scene was put in place and officers found items of the victim’s clothing as well as a black baseball cap.
As a result of extensive CCTV enquiries a man wearing a distinctive baseball cap was identified walking towards the park.
He was later seen leaving the area without the hat and carrying a shopping bag from which a black tassel was hanging out – this matched the description of the purse that had been stolen from the victim.
Officers were now confident this was their suspect and these images were circulated on police systems, as well as in a media appeal.
On September 16, 2021, a PCSO recognised the man in the image as Bogdan Ungureanu, who was located in the Stratford area and arrested.
Forensic testing linked him with evidence found on the victim’s tights and he was charged.
The victim was supported by officers from the outset of the investigation, including a dedicated Sexual Offences Incident Team (SOIT) officer who kept her updated on the progress being made.
She was also granted special measures including having her cross-examination video recorded before the trial, meaning she did not have to attend court.
