A convicted murderer, Valentin Lazar, who is currently serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of Maria Rawlings, has now admitted to raping her on the same night of her killing.
The development adds another layer of horror to a story that has deeply unsettled the community and devastated the family of the victim.
Maria Rawlings, a 45-year-old mother of two, met her untimely demise at the hands of Lazar in a chilling series of events that unfolded in Little Heath, Romford.
Lazar, (pictured)a 23-year-old manual laborer from Hockley Avenue in East Ham, had previously confessed to murdering Maria and was labeled as “evil” by her grieving family during his sentencing at the Old Bailey in February 2022.
Now, appearing via video link from HMP Frankland, he has admitted to the despicable act of rape, further exacerbating the anguish of Maria’s loved ones.
The court heard disturbing details of the evening’s events, painting a grim picture of Maria’s final moments.
After sustaining a head injury and seeking medical attention at King George Hospital in Goodmayes, Maria boarded a bus, where she unknowingly crossed paths with her attacker.
At his sentencing in 2022, the court heard how Maria had visited King Ge
CCTV footage captured their brief interaction before Lazar led Maria into the shadows, where he subjected her to unspeakable horrors.
Emerging alone after an agonizing 31 minutes, Lazar heartlessly discarded Maria’s belongings before fleeing the scene. A subsequent post-mortem examination revealed the extent of the brutality inflicted upon Maria, with over 100 sites of blunt force trauma and evidence suggesting a possible “sexual motive” behind the attack.
Maria Rawlings pictured with her father Image: PA
As Lazar’s sentencing for the rape approaches, the gravity of his heinous actions weighs heavily on the minds of all who have been touched by Maria’s tragic story.
The Recorder of London, Judge Mark Lucraft KC, has ensured Lazar’s presence in court for sentencing, emphasizing the need for justice to be served in this profoundly disturbing case.
Her memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew her, and her story serves as a solemn call for justice and accountability in the face of such unspeakable acts.