KEY POINTS
- Bogus cop raped maid three times using a false police identity.
- Maid reported the crime at a bar, leading to suspect’s arrest.
- Court sentenced bogus cop to 45 years in prison for his crimes.
Patrick Vashco, a 25-year-old fake police officer, was given a 45-year prison term for raping a maid three times without any protection. After hearing the case, Bindura regional magistrate Elisha Singano imposed the punishment.
Bogus cop uses false identity to assault maid
According to prosecutor Edward Katsvairo, the complainant, a maid, was dispatched by her employer to pick up a package at the Glendale bus terminal on April 10. In order to stay in touch while running the errand, the maid was given the employer’s cell phone.
The maid started sobbing in anguish when she misplaced her cell phone at the Glendale terminus. When Patrick Vashco saw her, he inquired as to her cause of distress. Vashco pretended to be a police officer and volunteered to drive her to the police station so that her statement could be recorded after she stated that she had misplaced the employer’s phone. Believing his fictitious identity, the maid consented.
Vashco pulled the maid into a nearby bush during the trip and sexually assaulted her once without any kind of protection. He then coerced her into traveling farther down the Shamva-Harare highway, where he raped her twice more while threatening to murder her.
Bogus cop arrested after maid reports rape at bar
Vashco accompanied the maid to a neighboring bar after the attacks with the intention of drinking beer. The maid told the bartender about the rape while she was there. The bartender informed the authorities right away.
According to Bulawayo24, police detained Vashco after the report. Evidence presented at trial showed that Vashco had no law enforcement credentials and had committed the acts under a fictitious identity. Vashco’s acts were characterized by the magistrate as a flagrant misuse of authority and trust.
Vashco was found guilty of several rape charges and given a 45-year prison term without the chance of release. The court underlined the importance of justice and safeguarding vulnerable people from criminals impersonating police enforcement.
