UK: Indian-origin man jailed for life for child rape, sex assault bid

He was identified as 24-year-old Navroop Singh.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years for five charges, including rape, on July 4 at Isleworth Crown Court.

Singh was convicted of the attempted rape of a woman in Southall Park, Ealing on Sunday, 13 October 2024, and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, on Thursday, 8 May at Isleworth Crown Court following a four-day trial, read a statement issued by the Metropolitan Police.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to three offences: Possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, rape a girl under 13 and assault a girl under 13 by penetration.

These charges relate to the rape of a child at Hayes End Park, Hillingdon on Wednesday, 23 October 2024.

An investigation was launched by police and detectives who tracked down Singh, using forensics, CCTV and witness accounts to build a file of evidence against him.

Acting Chief Superintendent Sean Lynch, who leads policing in West Area, said: "I would like to commend the strength of the victim-survivors and their families and thank them for their unwavering bravery in reporting these awful incidents to us."

“Today’s conviction is testament to the officers’ thorough investigation, which has identified a violent sexual offender and undoubtedly prevented further harm," the official said.

Officers launched an investigation following reports of an attempted rape of a woman in her 20s on 13 October 2024.

Police were alerted by the victim, who, by chance, was met with two off duty officers near to the gates of the park who accompanied her to the nearest police station.

Singh had been sitting on a bench in the park during the early hours of 13 October 2024, where he waited for a potential victim to walk past. He was carrying an imitation firearm, which he had ordered and assembled, and used to threaten the victim while he attempted to rape her.

On the days following the report, officers trawled through hours of CCTV footage to try and identify an offender.

With the investigation was ongoing, a child was raped at a different park on 23 October 2024. Officers immediately made a link between the offences.

Using the increased resources which were made available, officers secured additional forensic evidence, the police said in a statement. 

Police said officers were able to trace the offender to within a few doors of his home address where they delivered leaflets to appeal for witnesses and carried out increased patrols of the area.

As a result of the officers efforts, they were able to trace the offender to within a few doors of his home address.

Singh was arrested on October 27.