A MURDERER who is serving a 23-year prison term has admitted raping a mother-of-two before strangling her to death.

Valentin Lazar, 23, attacked 45-year-old Maria Rawlings before leaving her naked in undergrowth in Romford, east London, on May 3, 2021.

In February 2022, Lazar was sentenced to 23 years and six months in prison after admitting one charge of murder, and was described as “evil” by Ms Rawlings’ family after his conviction.

On Monday, Lazar admitted raping Ms Rawlings on the same night he killed her, and he will be sentenced for the offence later this month.

Braintree and Witham Times: Family - daughter Charlee Rawlings, father Tony Rawlings, and daughter Katie Rawlings outside the Old Bailey after Lazar was sentenced in 2022Family - daughter Charlee Rawlings, father Tony Rawlings, and daughter Katie Rawlings outside the Old Bailey after Lazar was sentenced in 2022 (Image: Press Association)

In 2022, the court heard how Ms Rawlings had visited King George Hospital in Chadwell Heath complaining of a headache, having suffered a head injury on the evening of May 3.

Having left hospital without being seen, Ms Rawlings got on a bus enroute to Witham just after 11pm.

Lazar was also on the bus and the two alighted together and appeared to engage in a brief conversation, before Lazar guided his victim by the arm towards some shrubs.

After 31 minutes, he emerged from the undergrowth alone, having raped and murdered her.

He rifled through Ms Rawlings's handbag then discarded it on the pavement, the court heard.

After the attack, Lazar boarded another bus, eventually arriving at his home in Newham after 1am.

A post-mortem examination found Ms Rawlings died from neck compression and a blunt force head injury.

Braintree and Witham Times: Tragic - Maria Rawlings was found raped and strangled in Romford, east London, in 2021Tragic - Maria Rawlings was found raped and strangled in Romford, east London, in 2021 (Image: Press Association)

The court heard there were more than 100 sites of blunt force trauma, 15 rib fractures, injuries from multiple blows to the head, defensive wounds to the hands, and footprints consistent with being stood on.

At the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC suggested a possible “sexual motive” to the murder because Ms Rawlings had bruises on her inner thighs and was found naked.

The Recorder of London, judge Mark Lucraft KC, directed that the defendant should be brought to court for sentencing, which will take place at the Old Bailey on March 28.