Maria Rawlings murder: Man jailed over 'savage' attack

Maria Rawlings was found dead in Romford on 4 May last year

A man who murdered a vulnerable mother-of-two in a "savage and sustained" attack has been jailed for life.

Valentin Lazar, 21, previously pleaded guilty to killing Maria Rawlings, 45, who was found dead in a shrubbery in Romford, east London, on 4 May 2021.

The victim, who suffered multiple injuries, was attacked shortly after she left a hospital where she had gone for treatment following a fall.

Lazar, of Barking, was jailed at the Old Bailey for at least 23 years.

Ms Rawlings had gone to A&E at King George Hospital in Goodmayes, Ilford, on the evening of 3 May, but left before she was seen.

Her naked body was found by a dog walker a day later concealed in undergrowth.

Valentin Lazar has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 23 years and six months

The court heard the victim had suffered multiple injuries, including over 100 blunt force trauma, bruises and abrasions on her body, and 15 rib fractures There was also a suspected stab wound.

Prosecutor William Emlyn Jones QC said: "This was an assault of exceptional violence - savage and sustained".

He suggested a possible "sexual motive" to the murder because Ms Rawlings had bruises on her inner thighs and was found naked.

Ms Rawlings and Lazar did not previously know each other and met by chance after travelling on the same bus, the court heard.

CCTV footage played to court captured the pair getting off at the same bus stop and walking along the road side-by-side.

Lazar could then be seen grabbing the 45-year-old by the arm and guiding her into the bushes.

Flowers were left at Little Heath in Romford where Ms Rawlings' body was found

In mitigation, Jennifer Dempster QC accepted it was a "cowardly and unprovoked" attack, but added that Lazar had said he "did not intend to kill her".

In statements read to court, the victim's two daughters described Ms Rawlings as a "fun loving soul", and called their mother's killer "evil".

Sentencing Lazar, Judge Mark Lucraft QC said the attack "involved an intoxicated woman alone late at night and she was particularly vulnerable".

"This was a savage and sustained attack and a high degree of pain and suffering was inflicted prior to death," he said.

Speaking outside the court after sentencing, Tony Rawlings, the victim's father, said his family had "endured the most horrific eight months imaginable at the hands of a predator who took my vulnerable, beautiful daughter's life".