Yesterday (17 August 2015) Judge Adele Williams handed out a 15 year custodial sentence, of which Tofoi must serve at least 10 years before he can be considered for parole, and added an extra three years on licence.
During the early hours of Christmas Day last year, Kent Police received a call from a woman in her twenties who said she had been raped just moments before.
The victim reported she had been walking along Castle Street towards Folkestone Road in Dover after a night out when she was approached and grabbed by two men, who dragged her into a garage area near Stembrook, and raped her. It was only when she was able to grab her mobile phone, causing it to illuminate, that the two men fled the scene.
One of the attackers was identified as Tofoi.
Officers investigating the case were able to trace Romanian-born Tofoi on CCTV throughout the town shortly before the attack. After initially leaving the country Tofoi was located and brought back to the UK by his mother, prior to being arrested.
When interviewed by officers of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, Tofoi claimed the sex between himself and the victim had been consensual.
However a jury rejected Tofoi's account during the trial and he was convicted.
During sentencing Judge Williams told Tofoi that he had carried out 'a violent and brutal rape' which had caused his victim to suffer ongoing psychological harm.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Lee Whitehead of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: "This was a violent and cowardly attack on a vulnerable lady.
"I want to praise his victim who has been courageous throughout the entire process and together with the superb support from her family, has played an important part in getting this dangerous man convicted.
"We are working with the Crown Prosecution Service to facilitate the return of the second suspect to the UK."
