A man aged 35 has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for raping a teenage girl whom he enticed into his car under the guise of offering her a ride home. Victor Popa carried out the assault on the 14-year-old victim in Aberdeen during the early hours of January 15, 2024. Popa was convicted on January 30 following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
During the trial, incriminating evidence including CCTV footage and text messages corroborated the girl’s account of the assault. Prosecutors highlighted that the victim had sustained injuries indicative of significant force while she was likely unconscious.
In addition to the prison term, Popa has been placed on the sex offender register indefinitely. A non-harassment order has also been imposed to prevent him from contacting the victim.
Faye Cook, a Procurator Fiscal at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, condemned the attack as predatory and distressing, emphasizing that violence against women and girls must not be tolerated in society. She commended the bravery of the victim and her family for their resilience throughout the legal proceedings.
Detective Chief Inspector Steven McDonald of Police Scotland described the incident as deeply unsettling for the victim, underscoring Popa’s danger to women and girls. He pledged continued collaboration with partners to safeguard women and girls from harm and ensure swift investigations into reported offenses.
Both the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and Police Scotland reiterated their commitment to combating violence against women and girls, emphasizing the importance of protecting the public and holding offenders accountable.