Finsbury park rape last September - justice for victim

Man jailed for rape following Sapphire investigation

Filip Ion, 38 (1.09.74) a Romanian national was on Thursday 11 April sentenced to a total of 13 years' imprisonment at Wood Green Crown Court. The sentenced includes nine years' imprisonment for the rape of a woman which occurred in September 2012 and four years' imprisonment for a robbery on another woman which occurred in October 2012, to be served consecutively.

Shortly after midnight on 2 September 2012, the victim, a 29-year-old woman left Finsbury Park Station and was walking home. A short time later she noticed Ion as he appeared to be in some distress. Having offered assistance she realised that he was not in any distress and she continued on her way. He then followed her and as she walked along Parkland Walk he pulled her to the ground and repeatedly punched her to the face and head before raping her. He then made off.

A DNA profile was obtained from this crime scene which did not match anyone on the National DNA Database.

At approx. 00:30hrs on 14 October 2012, a 42-year-old woman left Manor House Underground station and was walking along Green Lanes. She noticed a man following her which made her feel uncomfortable. She tried to evade him but he caught up and nudged her arm. She told him to leave her alone and again tried to get away. He then hit her from behind causing her to fall to the pavement hitting her face as she did so. The man grabbed her and tried to stop her from screaming but made off when two members of the public came to her aid. He stole her handbag before dropping it in his escape. Police were called and the victim immediately identified ION on a drive around accompanied by police.

Ion was charged with the robbery and a DNA sample was taken from him. He was remanded in custody for the robbery.

A subsequent search on the DNA database identified Ion as the suspect for the rape on 2 September 2012.
He denied the rape but was charged and further remanded in custody.

On Friday 22 February, as a result of the overwhelming evidence, Ion pleaded guilty to the rape on the victim during the attack on 2 September 2012. He also pleaded guilty to the robbery on 14 October 2012.

Detective Inspector Simon Dobinson, from the Sapphire Command, said: “This dangerous and violent offender has been removed from the streets and no longer poses a threat to women. The success of this investigation highlights the teamwork between borough and Sapphire officers from the initial response to the incidents to presenting a strong case ready for trial. It is another good example of the use of DNA as an investigative tool in identifying an offender.”

“This man has used extreme violence in order to carry out attacks on lone females late at night. The MPS treat these offences with extreme seriousness and this is a case which reflects the excellent police response in securing early key evidence and the quality of investigation involving key partners. The victims of these incidents have placed their confidence in the MPS to investigate these matters and they continue to receive support. Fortunately offences like this are infrequent. I hope that this conviction will encourage anyone else who has been a victim of these types of incident to come forward and tell us what has happened to them.”



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