Stratford man jailed for more than five years for attempted rape

A MAN has been sentenced to five years and six months in prison for attempting to rape a woman in Stratford in June.

Paul Lulian Comanescu, 32, of Birmingham Road, Stratford, pleaded guilty to attempted rape at Warwickshire Crown Court on 12th July 2018.

Comanescu admitted to carrying out the attack on the woman - who is in her 30s - in the early hours of 2nd June.

He started to talk to the woman as she walked along Clopton Road. When they reached a grassy area at the junction with Clopton Road and Arthur Road he attacked her.

The woman's screams scared the man off and alerted people in the surrounding houses who came to her help and called the police.

Comanescu was arrested two days later following a positive DNA match.

The conviction followed an investigation by Warwickshire Police CID.

Papers were also served for Comanescu's deportation upon release from prison.

Detective Inspector Liam Barry said: "This was a shocking attack that terrified the victim. I'd like to recognise her bravery throughout the investigation; her support and the overwhelming evidence against Comanescu undoubtedly led to him entering an early guilty plea.

"Fortunately, sexual offences at the hands of strangers are extremely rare but when they happen they have a huge impact on the victim and cause concern in the wider community.

"I would like to pay tribute to all the officers and staff involved in this investigation. Their skill and professionalism led to Comanescu being quickly identified and arrested.

"We welcome today's sentence; Comanescu is a dangerous individual and jail is clearly the best place for him."