Lascar was found guilty of raping his victim in Guildford’s Mandolay Hotel after a four-day trial in his absence at Guildford Crown Court in November, 2020. He was arrested and interviewed three times before being charged in January 2020.

The 30-year-old had been working in the hotel in August 2018 when he plied the woman with liquor, took her to a bedroom and raped her. He was traced and arrested, then extradited from Romania and flown back to the UK on February 18.

Surrey Detective Chief Inspector Adam Tatton said: “This has been a lengthy and protracted investigation with the added complication of the defendant not being able to return to the UK for his trial.

“But my team has remained committed throughout and worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and the Romanian authorities to ensure Lascar was located, arrested and brought back to the UK to serve his prison sentence.

“This case shows our determination to seek those who commit rapes and serious sexual abuse no matter where they hide and to work with partners and international law enforcement agencies to ensure victims receive the justice they deserve.

“I commend the victim for her bravery and tenacity throughout, and hope that now he is behind bars will help her begin to come to terms with what has happened.

“Lascar knew what he was doing by deliberately giving her alcohol and then taking advantage of her when she was at her most vulnerable.

“This behaviour simply cannot be condoned and I hope the sentence will now finally serve demonstrates our commitment to carrying out a full and thorough investigation when we receive any allegation of a sexual offence.”

For more advice and information, including where to find support if you have been the victim of a sexual offence, please contact https://www.surrey.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/