Emil Burlacu

Emil Burlacu, a 35-year-old Romanian migrant who arrived in Britain in 2008, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for a series of traumatising sexual offences against an 11-year-old schoolgirl. The attacks, described in court as deeply damaging, involved Burlacu covering the victim's mouth to prevent her from screaming and issuing repeated threats to ensure her silence.

At Isleworth Crown Court, prosecutors detailed how Burlacu carried out the assaults after establishing himself in the UK. The victim, whose identity is protected, later recounted her terror to police, stating: "He would come back and make sure my mouth would stay shut. He just kept saying stuff like that and threatening me." She described the physical struggle during one incident: "He was making me shut up. His hand was over my mouth and over my face. I was screaming and fighting him quite a lot. I was terrified of what he could do. He said that if someone was to find out, he would do something to me." These quotes, drawn from the court proceedings reported by The Evening Standard, highlight the psychological coercion employed by Burlacu to perpetuate the abuse.

Burlacu, residing in Hillingdon, west London, was found guilty by a jury on two counts of rape. Additional convictions included one count of assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration, one count of sexual assault, and one count of causing a female child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. The offences occurred following his arrival from eastern Europe, though exact dates were not specified in the coverage. Prosecuting barrister Corinne Bramwell emphasised the lifelong trauma inflicted on the victim, noting she has been left "traumatised for the rest of her life".

In defence, Hannah Thomas argued that the offending took place on a single occasion involving one victim, portraying Burlacu as a man of previous good character who had worked consistently since arriving in the UK. Despite this, the court imposed a severe sentence, reflecting the gravity of the child sex offences. Burlacu appeared in court wearing a grey tracksuit and required a Romanian interpreter. He was also made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order to protect the public from future risks.

The case underscores ongoing concerns about child sexual exploitation in the UK, with the Metropolitan Police leading the investigation in Hillingdon. Court records and witness testimonies formed the basis of the prosecution's case, leading to Burlacu's unanimous conviction.