A man who raped a 14-year-old girl in an Aberdeen car park after offering her a lift home has been jailed for 12 years. Victor Popa, 35, attacked the teenager after picking her up from a taxi rank in the early hours of January 15, 2023.
Popa subjected the girl to a serious sexual assault in the Gordon’s Mills Place area of the Scottish city while she repeatedly « blanked out ». A judge told a court how the girl has since been « living a waking nightmare » and later dropped out of school due to being bullied about the rape. Popa denied any wrongdoing but was convicted in January following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. On Wednesday (March 18), the 35-year-old was sentenced to 12 years in prison at the same court, with his name added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.
The court heard how the 14-year-old had been out drinking with friends but became separated from them, so went to a taxi rank for a lift home. Popa, who was a stranger to the girl and not a taxi driver, pulled up and offered to take her home. The judge said she waited « for a long time » but no taxis arrived. Popa’s car arrived and « she thought [he] was a taxi ».
Judge Alison Stirling said his actions had caused « lasting psychological and physical harm », with the girl continuing to suffer « complex PTSD, anxiety and depression« . Referencing a victim impact statement, the judge said: « The emotional impact of the rape was overwhelming, and she thinks it will be everlasting.
« She has been living a waking nightmare over and over and over again since she was 14 years old. Having to tell her mother was awful, because she knew her mother would be very upset. Telling the police and going for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy tests made her feel dirty and humiliated. »
A non-harassment order banning Popa from contacting or attempting to contact the victim was also granted for an indefinite period by the judge.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said the prosecution case drew together « multiple strands of evidence », including CCTV and text messages, which supported the girl’s account of what happened.
Medical evidence of an injury likely inflicted while she was unconscious was also placed before the jury.
Police Scotland’s Det Ch Insp Steven McDonald said: « This incident was extremely frightening for the girl who simply wanted to get home.
« Popa is a dangerous individual who posed a risk to women and girls and preyed on this young girl’s vulnerability. »
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