Kidnapped child rape victim tracked down to secret site in Sheffield after major investigation

Reading Crown Court heard the victim, then a teenager, reported an assault by a man from Slough and a woman from London in November 2020, later disclosing the man had raped her over a period of years.

In February last year, a gang including two people from Brunswick Road, Sheffield, conspired to kidnap the victim from foster care in Berkshire.

Police launched a ‘significant’ investigation to track her down – eventually locating her safely in Sheffield.

Nutel-Virgil Papadache, aged 41, of Brunswick Road, Sheffield, is today starting a four year jail term for his role in the plot, after the jury found him guilty of one count of conspiracy to kidnap.

The jury also found Aurelia Stan, aged 38, of Brunswick Road, Sheffield, guilty of conspiracy to kidnap. She is due to be sentenced on 25 May.

Alina Dogaru, aged 27, and Alexandru Monu, aged 24, both of Brunswick Road, Sheffield, were found not guilty of one count of conspiracy to kidnap.

Also convicted of one count conspiracy to kidnap were both Marius Bucur, aged 19, of no fixed abode, sentenced to two years and six months in prison; and Alexandru Olteanu, aged 20, of Austen Close, London, jailed for six months in prison.

But the longest sentence in the case was handed to a 59-year-old man from Slough, who cannot be named for legal reasons, who was jailed for 24 years. He was found guilty of five counts of rape and one count each of rape of a girl under 13, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and conspiracy to kidnap.

He was convicted at the same court on February 17 following a six-week trial. The jury also found him not guilty of one count of holding a person in slavery or servitude.

A 39-year-old woman from London, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, was jailed for six years and six months after she was found guilty of one count each of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, conspiracy to kidnap and kidnapping. She was cleared of one count of holding a person in slavery or servitude.

All eight defendants were charged on March 2 2021.

Detective Inspector Stuart May, of East Berkshire Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “I would like to praise the bravery demonstrated by the victim in providing evidence in court and reporting it to police in the first place.

“The sentences passed recognises the seriousness of the abuse she suffered, and the danger posed to her by those involved.

“I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all the officers involved in this investigation which secured convictions for offences of the utmost seriousness, whilst providing some justice for the victim.

“The response of those involved undoubtedly prevented the victim from suffering further serious harm.

“The collaborative effort of our teams across Thames Valley Police was instrumental in securing the charges against the suspects who were being held in custody within other police forces.

“This challenging investigation took nearly a year to conclude and represented a significant demand on the unit.

“I am grateful to the whole team who worked tirelessly to manage business as usual, so my thanks go to them.”

NEWS: Fears over rats 'eating through doors' at site Sheffield estate

NEWS: Firefighters battle blaze for six hours as camp fire spreads in Sheffield woods