Man who raped girl, 14, after offering her a lift home is jailed

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 15 January 2023.

The 35-year-old was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh after being found guilty in January following a trial at the same court.

Popa's name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Sentencing Popa, Judge Alison Stirling said his actions had caused "lasting psychological and physical harm".

The judge added: "I have had regard to the very full, careful and thoughtful victim impact statement prepared by your victim.

"She described the pain at the time and in the immediate aftermath of the rape, and the effect the rape had on her mental health.

"The emotional impact of the rape was overwhelming, and she thinks it will be everlasting."

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.

Following the sentencing, procurator fiscal Faye Cook said: "Violence against women and girls has no place in our society.

"This was a predatory and deeply distressing attack on a child who was simply trying to get home safely."

Cook said the evidence presented to the jury showed the "careful work" of police officers and prosecutors to uncover what happened and to hold Popa to account.

She added: "I want to recognise the courage shown by the young victim and her family throughout the prosecution process.

"Their strength has helped bring a dangerous offender to justice."

Police Scotland said Popa had worked as a delivery driver and was a stranger to the girl.

Det Ch Insp Steven McDonald added: "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."