Praise for passers-by who cornered rapist after chase onto roof in south London

A carpenter given a police commendation for helping a rape victim by chasing one of two attackers and detaining him on a roof said today: “I’m no hero.”

Rapists Radian Cojocaru, 32, and Gabriel Bejinariu, 20, were disturbed by passers-by as they attacked a 53-year-old woman in an alleyway in broad daylight.

Nathan Featherstone, 27, who was driving his Ford Transit, stopped to help Joseph Gale who had already intervened.

Mr Featherstone said: “I was driving back to my girlfriend Amy’s home on the Sunday with our daughter when we were flagged down by Joseph who was shouting ‘She’s been raped’.

"I stopped and Amy got out and comforted the poor lady.”

They dialled 999 and while waiting for police at the scene in Shorts Road, Carshalton, heard that paramedics had spotted Cojocaru nearby.

Mr Featherstone said: “Joseph ran after him. I handed our daughter out of the window to Amy and picked up Joseph en route.

"After a chase, the rapist ran up a drive and onto a [car port] roof. We held him as he lashed out. I grabbed his leg and he started kicking, so I put him in a body lock. Then the police arrived.”

Bejinariu was identified by CCTV and detained a week after the attack in October last year.

The victim wrote to Met chief Dame Cressida Dick to thank her for the collective efforts that led to the convictions of Cojocaru and Bejinariu, at Croydon crown court in May.

Last week she saw Mr Gale and Mr Featherstone given Commissioner’s Commendations, rarely given to members of the public. Mr Featherstone said: “I’m no hero, not in a million years, I just did the right thing. Amy uses that alleyway and it’s close to schools. Neither Joseph or I expected anything for it.”

Mr Gale, 36, a deputy headteacher at The Royal Alexandra and Albert School in Reigate, agreed. He said: “I am no hero ... I tried to do the right thing.”

Dame Cressida said today: “They were courageous and compassionate and quick-thinking in a shocking situation.”

Cojocaru, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 12 years in jail after he pleaded guilty to rape and aiding and abetting rape. Bejinariu, of no fixed address, was convicted at trial and got 17 years for the same offences.

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