Cheshire: Sex predator admits raping sleeping woman in burglary

At 5.30am, in the early hours of Sunday, October 2, police were called to an address.

Officers found that a stranger had entered the victim’s house in on Orford Lane, Orford, and then raped the female occupant, who had been asleep.

Cheshire Police launched a large media appeal for information over the incident, with detectives arresting a suspect on December 5.

The following day, it was confirmed that Petrus-Ionut Apostoae had been charged with two counts of rape and one of burglary in connection with the incident.

The 25-year-old, of Gorsey Lane in Orford, appeared before Chester Magistrates’ Court the following morning, which also happened to be his birthday, where he was remanded in custody.

He appeared back before Liverpool Crown Court today, Wednesday, where he was assisted by a Romanian interpreter, to enter pleas to seven charges.

Appearing via videolink from HM Prison Altcourse wearing a black jumper, Apostoae pleaded guilty to the two rape charges and the sole burglary charge.

Liverpool Crown Court

The particulars of the latter stated that the defendant stole clothing and a stationary set while inside the dwelling.

He also admitted three charges of attempted dwelling burglary which took place on November 12, two of which took place on Leonard Street in Orford and another on Orford Lane.

In addition, he pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence on Orford Lane on the same night.

Judge Denis Watson adjourned the case for a sentencing hearing later this month and ordered the preparation of pre-sentence reports.

Before sentencing he said: “I am concerned as to the risk you possess of serious harm by further offences being committed.

“A notification requirement for sex offenders now applies to you, although that is rather technical as you are in custody.

“You are remanded in custody until January 27, when you will be produced in court that day.”

Judge Watson added that Apostoae is facing an ‘inevitable’ custodial sentence.

Petrus-Ionut Apostoae after the incident in Orford (Image: Cheshire Police)

In the days that followed the incident, residents in the area were urged by police to remain vigilant by ensuring they kept windows and doors locked.

Superintendent Mike Evans said: “Thankfully, attacks such as these are extremely rare – nevertheless, I would urge residents to be vigilant and make sure their homes are well secured.

“I hope that our large police presence in the area will reassurance those in the local community that we are working tirelessly to find the man responsible.”

On the conviction, DI Nigel Parr, from Cheshire Police’s major investigation team which led the investigation, said “Apostoae is a dangerous and predatory criminal who subjected his victim to a truly horrific ordeal.

“He invaded the victim’s home, a place where everyone should feel safe, and committed a heinous sexual assault.

“Thankfully, as a result of the investigation and the amount of evidence gathered, Apostoae had no other option but to plead guilty, meaning that the victim has been spared the trauma of having to relive what happened on that night.

“I would like to thank the victim for the strength and bravery she has shown throughout the investigation and hope that this will, in some way, help her rebuild her life.”

If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, or know of someone who has, call Cheshire Police on 101, visit cheshire.police.uk or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.