Northolt Man Jailed For Sex Attacks

Nicusor Ion assaulted women at the Target Roundabout

A man who attacked two women in the same area of Northolt, sexually assaulting one and attempting to sexually assault the other, has been jailed.

Nicusor Ion, 41, of Islip Gardens, Northolt was sentenced to 16 years at Isleworth Crown Court today, Friday, 27 May.

Ion was found guilty of two counts of attempted robbery, one count of sexual assault, one count of attempted sexual assault, one count of possession of an offensive weapon and one count of possession of a bladed article following a week-long trial at the same court.

The court heard how Ion struck at the same location, an underpass at the Target Roundabout in Northolt, within three days.

The first incident took place on Sunday, 9 August 2015 at around 18:45hrs. The victim, a woman aged 28, was grabbed from behind by Ion and forced into bushes at the location. Ion showed the victim he was in possession of a knife and proceeded to rob and sexually assault her. He was disturbed by a member of the public and ran off.

Three days later on Wednesday, 12 August Ion struck again. At approximately 09:30hrs the victim - a 47-year-old woman - was walking through the underpass at the Target Roundabout. Ion grabbed her and attempted to drag her into bushes before pushing her to the floor. He was again disturbed by a member of the public before running off.

Police attended the scene and took the victim on a drive around the area. She identified Ion outside a betting shop in Mandeville Road, Northolt and he was arrested. The victim from the first offence also picked out Ion from an ID parade and he was subsequently charged with offences linked to both incidents.

During the trial it was revealed that Ion had previous convictions for robbery in his native Romania. He had been in the UK for less than a month prior to committing the first offence on 9 August.

DC Ben Robinson from Ealing CID investigated both incidents. He said: "These were violent and sustained attacks on two lone females in broad daylight which must have been terrifying for the victims. However, due to their courage officers were able to quickly identify Ion following the second offence and arrest him.

"Ion is a dangerous man who will now spend a considerable amount of time behind bars. Such offences will not be tolerated and we will do everything within our power to ensure offenders are brought to justice."

27th May 2016