Romeo-Kristian Macovei (31) and Iulian Lupu (56), both from Stoke-on-Trent, were found guilty of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman in the early hours of 10 December 2023.
Macovei and Lupu had been on trial for the crimes since 10 June and were finally found guilty on Wednesday (26 June).
On the day of the attack last year, the survivor had been at a nightclub in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Upon leaving the nightclub, two men approached her on the street. The next thing the survivor remembers is waking up at an unknown address in Stoke-on-Trent.
Macovei and Lupu were both inside this address and one of them was naked.
The survivor then made her way home and reported the incident to Staffordshire Police.
The police launched an investigation into the incident and provided support for the survivor. After reviewing CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses, police identified Macovei and Lupu as their two suspects.
They were later arrested, questioned in custody, and charged with multiple offences.
At the trial, Macovei was convicted of the rape of a woman and kidnap.
Lupu was convicted of two counts of sexual assault, one count of kidnap, and one count of committing an offence with the intention of committing a relevant sexual offence.
Detective Constable Tiffany Berry described the crime as a “traumatising incident for the survivor who has shown immeasurable bravery in coming forward and telling us about what happened.”
She also stated: “Without her strength and support throughout this investigation, this conviction would not have been possible.”
Both men are due to be sentenced on 12 September at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
Experienced writer and journalist James McKean leads the daily editorial output at StaffsLive. To contact him, email news@staffslive.co.uk
