A man has been jailed after being found guilty of murdering his partner at a flat in Greenwich.
Vasile Bratu, 39, of no fixed address was found guilty of murdering 49-year-old Constanta Bunea following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday, October 21.
He was sentenced on the same day to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years.
A murder investigation was launched after emergency services were called to the flat the pair shared in Ravine Grove, Plumstead at around 2.15am on April 4, 2021.
Paramedics arrived on scene to find Constanta bleeding heavily from a stab wound to the back caused by a pair of scissors.
Despite their best efforts, Constanta was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bratu initially claimed that the injury had been caused after he had forced entry into the bathroom where Constanta had been found, causing her to fall on the scissors.
Officers, who had also attended the scene, arrested Bratu on suspicion of murder.
During the trial the court heard how Bratu and Constanta had been in a relationship since August 2019 when she moved to the UK from Romania.
During regular video calls home to her family, suspicions had been raised that Bratu had been violent towards Constanta and was controlling and manipulating her.
When Constanta’s family tried to ask about injuries she had appeared to suffer, Bratu would intervene and ask if they were accusing him of inflicting them.
Detective Chief Inspector Kate Kieran of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “Vasile Bratu is a violent and controlling man and I am pleased that the jury have convicted him for murdering Constanta.
“Constanta came to the UK in order to provide a better life for her family back in Romania, but soon after meeting Bratu it appears she became overwhelmed by his manipulative behaviour. This behaviour then led to violence which tragically ended in Constanta’s murder.
“I would urge any person who is suffering at the hands of their partner to seek help; there are many people who can support you including the police. You will be listened to and supported, with respect and dignity, and any crime will be investigated fully.”
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