In 2026, the Offender Database recorded that Victor Popa, 35, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the rape of a vulnerable 14-year-old girl. On appearing at the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, the defendant was jailed after being found guilty of the attack. It was reported that Popa—who was not a taxi driver—targeted the stranded teenager at a taxi rank in Aberdeen in the early hours of 15 January 2023, offering her a lift home before carrying out the assault in his vehicle.
The investigation established the predatory and violent nature of Popa’s conduct. Police Scotland reported that the prosecution drew together multiple strands of evidence, including CCTV footage and text messages that supported the child’s account. The prosecution reported that medical evidence showed the victim had suffered an injury caused by significant force, which was likely inflicted while she was unconscious.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Popa took advantage of a child who was in a vulnerable and stranded position. The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Popa did not know the victim and had no legitimate reason to be picking her up from the taxi rank. The investigation established that after a trial in January 2026, the jury rejected his version of events, leading to a conviction for rape.
The Sentencing Judge noted the severity of the violence used and the extreme vulnerability of the 14-year-old victim. For his actions in Aberdeen, Popa was handed the 12-year custodial sentence. The judge noted that the gravity of the offence necessitated an indefinite non-harassment order to ensure Popa can never attempt to contact the survivor again, alongside his permanent placement on the Sex Offenders Register.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in Scotland, the status of Victor Popa is as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: 12 years in prison (Sentenced 18 March 2026).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for life.
- Non-Harassment Order: Indefinite order banning all contact with the victim.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh following a Police Scotland investigation.
- Criminal Record: Rape of a child under 16.
- Origin: Aberdeen, Grampian.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Popa will be managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) at the highest level of scrutiny upon his eventual release. Due to the nature of his conduct in Aberdeen, which involved the predatory abduction and rape of a child while she was likely unconscious, his management is a maximum priority for the Public Protection Unit. Authorities state that his life-long registration and indefinite non-harassment order are critical tools to ensure he is strictly monitored by police and social work services to prevent him from targeting vulnerable individuals in the future.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register for life, Popa must comply with all notification requirements regarding his identity and residence. Authorities state that his history of predatory aggression in Aberdeen necessitates permanent vigilance. Any future attempt to contact the survivor, offer lifts to minors, or fail to disclose his location to the authorities will result in immediate arrest and an instant return to the prison system.
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