Constantin Lascar

A man awaiting extradition to Britain in a Romanian jail has been sentenced to 10 years for rape at Guildford Crown Court (November 30).

Constantin Lascar, 30, was convicted in absentia at a four-day trial in November. He had stayed in contact with his defence lawyer.

Lascar had been was working at night in Guildford’s Mandolay Hotel in August, 2018. He plied his victim with alcohol, took her to a hotel bedroom and raped her.

He was arrested and interviewed three times before being charged and summonsed in January 2020. But he fled to Romania.

Detective Constable Drew Dunmill 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.

“I would like to commend the victim for her bravery and tenacity throughout, and hope that him now being 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.

“We will now be seeking to extradite Lascar. We hope the sentence demonstrates our commitment to carrying out a full and thorough investigation when we receive any allegation of a sexual offence.”

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