Wallingford killer Mihai Hurmuz-Irimia was convicted when still in his teens for raping a 78-year-old neighbour at knifepoint.
Detectives from Thames Valley Police’s murder squad discovered the 2010 conviction in his native Romania following the now 29-year-old’s arrest for murdering his wife.
Outside Oxford Crown Court following the hearing, DCI Jon Capps told reporters that the conviction – dating back to when the defendant was 16 and which was only cryptically referred to in court – was for rape and burglary of a 78-year-old woman.
READ MORE: Live updates from sentencing hearing of Wallingford killer
Official papers suggested that a knife had been used, the police said.
Speaking outside court, Mr Capps said of the convictions: “That is something we were aware of during the investigation. We chose not to use it during the trial.
“Again, I think it’s another indication of the type of character we are dealing with here.”
This afternoon, Hurmuz-Irimia was jailed for life with a minimums tariff of 21 years to serve before he is eligible for release from custody.
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