I killed lone mum in undergrowth, man, 21, tells court
A MAN has admitted murdering an injured mother on her way home from a hospital A&E visit.
Valentin Lazar, 21, followed lone Maria Rawlings from a bus late at night, killed and robbed her, then hid her naked body in a patch of undergrowth.
Ms Rawlings, 45, was discovered on May 4 in Romford, east London. She had multiple injuries including a suspected stab wound, but there was no evidence of sexual assault.
Police tracked Lazar from DNA on a baseball cap left near Ms Rawlings’ body and CCTV footage near the scene.
Ms Rawlings’ two daughters were at the Old Bailey yesterday when the Romanian national entered his guilty plea.
The court was told Lazar admitted murder but denied intending to kill Ms Rawlings, of Chelmsford, Essex, or that he had a knife. At an earlier hearing,
prosecutor Paul Jarvis said Ms Rawlings’ attacker struck shortly after she visited a hospital A&E unit following a fall.
He added: “He was probably carrying a knife. He led her into the bushes before violently attacking her and ultimately killing her before stealing some of her belongings and walking off.”
Video footage from the night before Ms Rawlings’ body was found showed Lazar appearing to guide her towards the area in Little Heath where he killed her.
Thirty minutes later he was seen emerging from the undergrowth alone, carrying her handbag.
Police who arrested him found clothes matching those of the attacker with traces of blood on them.
Lazar, of East Ham, east London, was helped by a Romanian interpreter as he entered his guilty plea yesterday.
Remanding him in custody, Judge Peter Rook QC said: “You have pleaded guilty to murder in a case of the utmost seriousness.
“There is only one sentence the court can pass and that is one of life imprisonment. A judge will decide the minimum that you must serve.”
The case was adjourned until January 10.