Detectives track sex attacker through use of bank card

A rapist has been convicted and jailed after Met officers linked him to a bank card used in a chicken shop.

Aurel Surugiu, 40, (17.09.83) of Edgware was found guilty on Tuesday, 2 April at the Old Bailey of rape and sexual assault by penetration. He was jailed for 11 years at the same court on Friday, 17 May.

The Met’s investigation was launched in the early hours of 25 September 2023 after officers were called to Watling Avenue in Burnt Oak. A woman had asked two young men for help, telling them she had just been raped.

Officers established that the woman had been sitting on a bench outside Burnt Oak Library on the evening of 24 September 2023 when Surugiu approached her and accompanied her into nearby Watling Park where he raped her. He then walked away from the scene.

Detectives identified Surugiu as the suspect after an extensive CCTV trawl found footage of him with the victim. Further CCTV enquiries confirmed that evening Surugiu had visited a chicken shop on Watling Avenue to buy food, as well as two other local shops to buy alcohol and cigarettes.

Financial checks on a bank card used by Surugiu led to his identification and arrest on 26 September 2023.

Detective Constable Pat Leonte led the investigation. She said: “Having made rapid enquiries, I am pleased we were able to identify and arrest Surugiu so soon after this incident. Women in Edgware and Burnt Oak are safer without him on the streets.

“The victim in this case attended court to give evidence. She was nervous, but I am confident that my colleagues and I gave her every possible support, and I know she is content that she has seen justice done.

“I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank the two young men who called police and waited with her until officers arrived."