A RAPIST has been jailed after his parents spotted him as part of a police appeal and told him to hand himself in.

Gabriel Lupu was visiting his parents in Romania when they told him to return to Worthing after seeing CCTV images circulating on social media asking for help about the robbery and rape of a 69-year-old woman in the town.

The victim, from Hove, travelled to Worthing on a bus on Sunday, May 8.

But she became disorientated that evening and could not work out how to get home.

She withdrew £200 from her bank account and made her way into the Montague Centre and stood outside MacDonald’s.

At around 1am, Lupu approached her and CCTV captured him walking along South Street carrying her handbag with her following.

The next camera, outside TK Maxx, showed a struggle between them as she tried to get back her bag, before he was seen leading her away.

They ended up in the nearby Barclays Bank car park where the 23-year-old raped her and took the £200.

Lupu left her in the car park and returned to dump her bag after taking the cash.

One woman who saw the police appeal thought she recognised the man and was able to give a small amount of detail, including potential names, giving police the clues they needed to trace Lupu.

A police spokesman said the images were also spotted on social media by the suspect's parents who recognised their son and they told him to return to Worthing from Romania where he had been visiting family.

Officers visited the car wash where Lupu, a valeter, had connections. A staff member was able to contact him and he agreed to meet officers. After showing Lupu the CCTV image, he was arrested and charged with rape and robbery.

The Argus: Gabriel LupuGabriel Lupu

Lupu, of West Buildings, Worthing, initially denied involvement in the rape or robbery but his DNA was on her body and on the receipt she got when she withdrew the money.

He appeared at Hove Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty to both offences and was sentenced to 10 years for rape and four years for robbery - to be served at the same time.

Detective Chief Inspector Tanya Jones said: "Lupu took advantage of this very vulnerable woman, his behaviour was despicable.

"Thankfully he has now pleaded guilty sparing her of the trauma of the trial, and he will now spend a long time in prison and will be deported back to Romania on his release from prison."

"The court has ordered that Lupu will remain on licence for another five years after he is released and will be on the sex offenders register for life."