Violent sex attacker dragged woman into north London garden in attempted rape

A violent sex attacker dragged woman into garden in an attempted rape in north London.

A man who followed and sexually assaulted a woman has been found guilty of attempted rape.

Radu-Ionut Vilculescu, 26, of Fortess Road, Kentish Town was found guilty of attempted rape at Blackfriars Crown Court on July 14.

The court heard that on 5 December 2015, at about 1:45am, a woman - aged in her 30s - was walking alone, along Kentish Town Road, NW5 when Vilculescu started following her

Vilculescu attempted to engage the woman in conversation but the she ignored him and carried on walking.

After she turned right into Leighton Road, Vilculescu got in front of her, pushed her up against a parked van and sexually assaulted her.

As the woman attempted to get away, Vilculescu dragged her into a nearby garden and continued to sexually assault her, attempting to rape her.

When she managed to get her phone out, Vilculescu ran off in an unknown direction.

Fortunately, the woman was not seriously injured, but did suffer bruising where Vilculescu had grabbed and held her.

Detectives launched a CCTV appeal following the attack and Vilculescu was identified soon after.

He was arrested on Saturday, 20 February and charged two days later before being remanded to appear at court.

Vilculescu will be sentenced on Friday, 12 August at Blackfriars Crown Court.