Miniature air freshener helped police link Rugby warehouse worker with shocking attacks on Coventry sex workers

A man responsible for a series of shocking attacks against sex workers has been jailed after a miniature air freshener helped West Midlands Police to link him with the offences.

Petricia Gheorghita, 36, raped two Coventry sex workers, and tried to rape a third, between August and November 2019.

The women reported the attacks to the police and provided excellent descriptions of their attacker and the white Ford Focus he was driving.

They also told police about a distinctive vial of air freshener was dangling from the Ford's rear view mirror.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "Our officers stopped Gheorghita in South Street, Hillfields, on 19 December as he drove home from his warehouse packing job in Rugby.

"It was later suspected the 36-year-old may have been touring the Hillfields area looking for his next victim.

"He matched the description provided by the victims.

"A knife was found in the driver’s door pocket and a mini bottle of air freshener hanging from the mirror.

"Our specially-trained detectives met with each of the victims and interviewed them in detail; they all gave detailed evidence and later identified Gheorghita during ID procedures."

Gheorghita admitted using sex workers in the city but denied three counts of rape, one attempted rape and another count of possessing a knife in public.

And at Leamington Justice Centre on June 8 he was found guilty on two counts of rape against a 42-year-old woman in a car on a date between 20 and 25 August.

Gheorghita, of no fixed address, was found not guilty of trying to rape a 21-year-old woman on 15 November but instead convicted of assault.

The jury failed to reach a decision over whether he raped a 34-year-old woman in October − but a second jury found him guilty of that charge at the same court on Thursday (18 June).

He has been jailed for 13 years and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Investigating officer, Coventry Police Detective Constable Stephen Cleverley from the Public Protection Unit, praised the courage of the women in speaking out and for their compelling evidence.

He added: “Gheorghita put these women through terrifying ordeals: they were driven to remote locations, outside of Coventry, and attacked down country lanes.

“Despite the traumatic experience they all provided excellent evidence, including finer details about the car and its interior.

“All of that helped us build up a strong case against Gheorghita and I’m pleased he’s now been handed a long prison sentence.

“The women can rightly be proud of their roles in helping us secure a conviction. I have no doubt Gheorghita would have gone on to strike again so their actions have helped prevent other women suffering at his hands."

Inspector Wes Martin added: “My team worked tirelessly to support the women in this case and ensure they were able to give evidence in court."