A woman was gang raped by three Londoners after they picked her up in a car while she was walking alone through Cambridge. Florin Buti was jailed for over eight years at Peterborough Crown Court on Thursday (April 11) after he assaulted the victim then used her stolen bank card at a service station on his way home.
The 19-year-old, of Ridgwell Road, Canning Town, was with three other men in Cambridge city centre in the early hours, in February 2022, when they saw the victim walking alone and led her into a car before driving to a secluded location outside the city. Buti – along with Florin Sardaru and Carlos Sali – raped her then drove her back into the city. The fourth man was not involved in the rape.
While the victim contacted police, shameless Buti used her bank card at a London service station. An investigation by Cambridgeshire Constabulary revealed CCTV footage of the group’s movements – described as ‘predatory’ – before the attack.
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Officers then traced the car to a London address where they found it had been sold within hours of the offence. Police seized the vehicle and crucial evidence was recovered, allowing them to charge all three offenders. The fourth man was arrested and later released without charge.
Sardaru, 27, and Sali, 19, both of Shrubland Road in Hackney, were jailed for 12 years and four months, and seven years and 11 months respectively after admitting rape on the first day of their trial in November 2022.
Buti denied rape and fraud by false representation, but he was found guilty after a trial at Peterborough Crown Court.
‘He thought he could get away with it’
DC Katie Housham said: “Buti thought he could get away with his part in this horrific offence, but he was wrong. I’m pleased he has now faced justice. I would like to commend the victim in this case for the bravery she has shown throughout the investigation and court process.
“Buti and the other defendants in this case clearly went looking for a woman to attack and their predatory behaviour was clear to see on the CCTV footage. I’d encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence, whether recent or not, to report what has happened and to seek support.”
For more information and support concerning sexual offences, visit the dedicated section of the police website.
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