Mum kept quiet while being raped by home intruder so 'she wouldn't wake kids up'
A mum kept quiet while she was being raped by a home intruder so she wouldn't wake up her young children, a court heard.
Petrus-Ionut Apostoae appeared in the victim's bedroom following a house party she'd hosted, and attacked her before asking her not to call the police.
The 25-year-old stranger stole an art set and a hoodie from the woman - who cannot be named - and weeks later attempted to return but found the door locked.
Today, he was jailed for more than 14 years.
Family and friends had attended the gathering on October 2 last year before leaving at around 6pm.
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The occupant put her children to bed at 8 or 9pm.
She was unsure if one of the guests would be returning later so stayed up watching TV and chatting to pals on social media.
Apostoae was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court (Liverpool Echo)She went to bed at around 2am, with her children asleep in the next room, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Prosecutor Louise McCloskey told Liverpool Crown Court what happened next was "the stuff of nightmares".
She said: "She suddenly awoke to hands over her face.
“At first, confused, she thought it might be her friend had returned and was messing about so pushed back before quickly realising that an unknown male was in her bedroom with his hands over her mouth and nose.
"She pushed his hands away but he pushed harder and she was struggling to breathe.”
Ms McCloskey said the woman eventually “lay on the bed terrified that the children would wake up and come into the room".
He proceeded to rape her and afterwards he placed the quilt over her head and face.
She described “accepting what was happening in order to not wake the children in the room next door”.
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Apostoae asked her not to call the police and she told him she wouldn't but as soon as he left she dialled 999.
The victim underwent medical examination and was found to have contracted an STI from the rapist.
She installed CCTV at her home and went to stay with family.
Six weeks later on November 12 she received an alert at 5am showing Apostoae trying her door handle before walking away.
She sent the footage to police.
On the same night, Apostoae attempted to break into several other properties in the area.
Widespread DNA screening and questioning was undertaken by police following the incident, and a match with Apostoae was confirmed.
CCTV was also used to confirm his identity in relation to the sexual offences and attempted robberies.
In a victim personal statement read out by the prosecution, the victim detailed feeling anxious and upset since the attack, and has not been able to return to her home.
On January 3, Apostoae pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, one count of burglary, three counts of attempted burglary and one count of attempting to trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence.
He has no previous convictions in the UK, but several drug-related convictions in his home country Romania.
Paul Wood, defending, said Apostoae has a long history of cocaine abuse, and that he was under the influence of drugs when he committed the offences.
He said custody would be a "remarkably isolated place" for his client, who has no family in the UK.
“He wishes me to say he is sorry and acknowledges that he needs to change, he needs rehabilitation and help,” he added.
In sentencing, Judge Denis Watson KC said his actions suggested "planning and targeting".
Apostoae, from Orford, Warrington, was given a restraining order, banning him from approaching or contacting the victim in any way.
He was also sentenced to a prison term of 14 years and eight months, plus an extended licence period of eight years, totalling 22 years and eight months.
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