Man, 39, handed life sentence for attempted murder and rape

A man who raped and then attempted to kill a young woman in Wellingborough has been handed a life sentence.

Sergiu Boianjiu, aged 39, previously of Melton Road, Wellingborough, was convicted of the offences by a jury on August 26, after a two-week trial at Northampton Crown Court.

In the early hours of February 6, 2022, Boianjiu followed a woman in her 20s from a nightclub in Park Road before attacking her in Great Park Street.

In CCTV footage from earlier that night, Boianjiu can be seen inside the nightclub, repeatedly touching a number of women without their consent.

In his sentencing remarks, His Honour Judge David Herbert KC, said: “Your behaviour towards women both inside and outside the club was predatory.”

Staff at the nightclub told Boianjiu to leave and refused him re-entry, however instead of leaving the area, he lay in wait outside the club before targeting the victim. 

During the attack, he raped her and carried out a sustained violent attack, in an attempt to kill her.

Following the attack, Boianjiu unsuccessfully tried to dispose of her body in a wheelie bin before leaving her for dead in an alleyway where she was subsequently found by a member of the public.

The woman was taken to hospital in a critical condition with severe head injuries and a dangerously low body temperature.

Thankfully, she has since gone on to be discharged from hospital and return home where she continues with her recovery.

An intensive investigation by Northamptonshire Police resulted in Boianjiu being identified, arrested and charged before he was found guilty by a jury. Today (September 16) at Northampton Crown Court, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years, before he can be considered for parole. 

“You are an extremely dangerous man,” commented HH Judge Herbert. “You believed you had successfully killed this woman and you left the scene, leaving her for dead. The effect on her both physically and mentally has been profound.”

The Judge also commented on the fact that a significant aggravating factor in the sentencing today was Boianjiu’s conviction for murder in Moldova in 2002.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Liz Wilcox, said: “I welcome the lengthy sentence handed out to Sergiu Boianjiu today as it means that he is no longer able to harm anyone else.

“This case has been very traumatic for the young woman involved and I hope today’s sentencing provides her with some closure. She has shown exceptional courage throughout our investigation and I hope that, with the help of her great support network, she will be able to continue to move forward.

“Sergiu Boianjiu presents an extraordinary danger to women. In the CCTV footage from the nightclub before the attack we can see him sexually assaulting a number of them through inappropriate touching before he went on that night to commit rape and attempted murder.

“Though his behaviour in the nightclub may be considered “low-level” by some, it demonstrates a mindset that needs to be challenged and everyone should be clear that this is not only unacceptable but criminal conduct.  

“Finally, I hope the result today demonstrates the continued commitment of Northamptonshire Police in tackling violence against women and girls and ensuring the offenders are sent to prison.

At the end of the sentencing hearing, His Honour Judge Herbert commended the investigation team at Northamptonshire Police for their work in bringing Boianjiu to justice.