'Vile' rapist jailed after stalking woman

Stefan Keleman will be deported to Romania after he has served his prison sentence, police say

A man described as "vile" by police has been jailed for more than six years after raping a woman he stalked from a supermarket car park.

Stefan Keleman, 46, of Campion Road in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to charges of rape and assault at St Albans Crown Court.

Police said he spoke to the victim at about 23:30 BST on 18 June at the Asda superstore in the centre of Hatfield, before he followed her, punched her in the back of the head, pinned her to the ground and raped her.

He was only stopped when a police officer arrived after being called by an eyewitness, Hertfordshire Constabulary said.

'Horrific ordeal'

He was jailed for six years and eight months, was handed a restraining order and put on the sex offenders register for life.

When he completes his prison sentence, he would be deported to Romania, police said.

Det Con Jarl Thomason, from the sexual offences investigation team, said: "Keleman is a vile individual who thought nothing of raping a stranger he had just briefly met.

"During the attack he continued assaulting the victim by hitting, punching and biting her."

He paid tribute to the victim who showed resilience through the court case, despite her "horrific ordeal" and thanked the resident who called the force.