DNA match sees attacker sentenced to jail

A man has been sentenced to two years in prison after admitting to sexually assaulting a teenage girl in a park in Staines-upon-Thames in June 2021. 

Petrisor Lazar, 33, pleaded guilty to attacking his 17-year-old victim, who was not known to him, after DNA on her clothing was found to match his.

The victim was walking alone through Staines Park in Commercial Road around 10.40pm on 17 June when she was grabbed from behind by Lazar. He put his hand over her mouth and dragged her off the footpath onto the grass before getting on top of her and forcibly kissing her on the lips. The victim managed to get free and run to a place of safety.

Detective Sergeant Kevin Furlonger, whose team investigated the case, said: “The victim was walking home and minding her own business when she was grabbed, pinned to the ground and attacked by Lazar. Luckily, she was able to escape. However, the incident left her feeling violated, and she has suffered from extreme anxiety and panic attacks ever since.

“The fact that Lazar is now behind bars means he no longer poses a threat to innocent young women and highlights our commitment to ensuring that those who commit violent and sexual attacks are brought to justice for their actions.”