A 35-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for raping a teenage girl in Aberdeen in the early hours of January 15, 2024. Victor Popa was found guilty on January 30 after a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. The court heard that Popa lured the 14-year-old girl into his car under the pretense of offering her a ride home before carrying out the attack.
Evidence presented during the trial, including CCTV footage and text messages, supported the girl’s account of the assault. Prosecutors revealed that the girl had been injured with significant force, likely while she was unconscious. As a result, Popa has been placed on the sex offender register indefinitely, and a non-harassment order has been issued to prevent him from contacting the victim.
Procurator Fiscal Faye Cook, representing the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, condemned the attack as a predatory and distressing act against a vulnerable child. She commended the bravery of the victim and her family throughout the legal proceedings, emphasizing the importance of holding offenders like Popa accountable.
Detective Chief Inspector Steven McDonald of Police Scotland described the incident as a terrifying ordeal for the girl and highlighted Popa’s danger to women and girls. He expressed the commitment of law enforcement to prevent violence and exploitation against women and girls, promising thorough investigations and support for victims.
The authorities stressed their dedication to pursuing individuals who target women and girls, emphasizing the need to safeguard the public from harm and create a society free from violence and abuse.
