Petrus Ionut Apostoae slammed by Cheshire Police for Orford rape

Petrus Ionut Apostoae was locked up for 14 years and eight months this afternoon, Friday, at Liverpool Crown Court over his ‘utterly horrendous’ actions.

The 25-year-old, of Gorsey Lane in Orford, subjected the woman, who was a stranger to him, to a disgusting ordeal, and even returned weeks later to ‘rape her again’.

Apostoae raped the victim in her own bed after getting into her house through an unlocked door, around 5am on October 2 last year.

She was asleep and awoke to find Apostoae with his hands over her mouth and nose. She said she could not breathe and tried to push him away. He then raped her.

Afterwards, he threw a quilt over her head and told her not to call the police. When she heard her front door close, she immediately called the police.

The victim was medically examined, and swabs were taken but there was no match on the police DNA database. The victim installed CCTV at her home so that she could feel safer.

CCTV from elsewhere showed, at the relevant time, a man walking away from the victim’s address carrying a small suitcase and a dark briefcase.

On 12 November 2022, CCTV captured Apostoae returning to the victim’s address and trying the door handle.

He failed to gain entry. CCTV captured him trying the door handles of other addresses in the area. Again he failed to gain entry.

Cheshire Police launched an extensive operation involving house-to-house enquiries and intelligence led voluntary DNA screening from men in the relevant area.

Apostoae gave a sample, and on December 5 a match was made with a sample from the victim of the rape. Apostoae was arrested the same day. He gave no comment to all questions.

Petrus Ionut Apostoae (Image: Cheshire Police)

He was charged with two counts of rape, one count of burglary, three counts of attempted burglary and one count of trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Following the sentencing, DI Nigel Parr, who led the investigation, said: “This case shook the community of Warrington to its core, but I hope that this sentence today shows justice has been served.

“At the hands of Apostoae, the victim was subjected to an utterly horrendous ordeal which she will now have to live with for the rest of her life, and no sentence will be able to change that.

“But it is thanks to her courage and determination that we were able to gather the very best evidence to achieve this result today.

“The evidence gathered during this investigation, particularly the DNA sample, proved vital in Apostoae’s prosecution, and left him with no option but to plead guilty to the charges against him.”

Chris Fontaine, from the Crown Prosecution Service, added: “Apostoae is a predatory sexual offender. He was a stranger to the victim.

“Cheshire Police’s Major Investigation Team immediately launched an investigation which involved reviewing huge amounts of CCTV footage and DNA enquiries, which extended to making house-to-house enquires to obtain voluntary DNA samples.

“The Crown Prosecution Service would like to thank the victims and the members of the public who helped with the CCTV and DNA investigation.

“This assistance provided crucial evidence which ensured that Apostoae was apprehended at the earliest opportunity.

“We particularly thank the victim of the rape. In her victim personal statement, she explained the devastating impact these offences have had on her and her family.

“Her actions in making an immediate report and her ongoing assistance with the investigation resulted in major breakthroughs.

“Her strength and courage stopped this offending behaviour escalating any further and prevented other members of the public from becoming victims.”