Detectives welcome rape convictions after teenager duped into taking lift in Fife

By The Press Association29th May 201929th May 2019News ScotlandCourts / Justice, Fife, News Scotland, Rape, Sexual Abuse

Detectives have welcomed the conviction of two men for raping a young woman who got into a car she thought was a taxi after a night out.

Driver Abel Muntean abducted the 18-year-old and took her to a flat occupied by Raul Covaci Novac in Kirkcaldy.

Muntean, 19, and Novac (pictured), 34, assaulted and raped the teenager who had been at a nightclub with friends in the early hours of January 1 2017.

Both have been remanded in custody after being convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday, police said.

They will be sentenced in July.

Detective Sergeant Calum Lawrie said in a statement: “These two men preyed on a young, vulnerable woman who was simply looking to get home after celebrating the New Year.

“Instead she was duped into entering a vehicle she believed to be a taxi, taken to a property against her will and was subjected to a number of violent, horrific attacks.

“I commend her bravery in coming forward to report these assaults and her strength in going through these traumatic events again when the pair denied what they had done. I hope she can find some comfort in their convictions.

“Muntean knowingly pretended to be a taxi driver and along with Novac carried out a calculated and brutal attack, and they will receive custodial sentences as a result.

“We will always do everything possible to thoroughly investigate any report of sexual assault or rape we receive, providing specialist support to the victim and working tirelessly to put those responsible before the courts.”