Published:08:3110/07/2024
A man who claimed he was helping a young woman then went on to rape her was jailed yesterday (Tuesday 9 July) at Leicester Crown Court.
During the early hours of Friday 12 January this year the 21-year-old victim had been on a night out with friends in the city centre.
At the end of the night the victim got into a taxi to her friend’s home. Shortly after arriving she decided to leave and was waiting for a taxi in Western Road, Leicester.
She felt unwell and called the ambulance service, while she was on the phone a man approached her and offered to help. The call handler heard the conversation and alerted the police.
When officers arrived in the area the victim wasn’t located, and enquiries were carried out at her home address.
The victim’s parents became concerned as they couldn’t get in touch with her, she was subsequently reported missing.
Later on the same morning the victim got in touch with her parents and reported she had been raped by a man in a flat.
She was able to describe the location which led officers to arrest 35-year-old Jagdeep Singh. Singh of Harrow Road, Leicester, denied forcing the victim into sexual activity and claimed it was all consensual and that he was concerned about the victim and was helping her by getting her to a safe place.
Singh was due to stand trial this week but pleaded guilty to rape on the second day. He was sentenced to eight years in prison and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
Detective Constable Joe Mulvany from the force’s Signal team, was the investigating officer. He said: “Throughout the investigation Singh maintained he was innocent and that he did take part in sexual activity with the victim, but it was all consensual.
“We are pleased that he has pleaded guilty and spared the victim the distress of reliving what happened to her in the court room. This investigation and the process has been in no way easy for her. She has shown immense bravery throughout, and we hope she now feels that justice has been done.
“The defendant now faces a lengthy term in prison for his actions that night. He preyed on a vulnerable person for his own satisfaction. The victim was not in a fit state to consent to anything and was clearly distressed when he came across her in the street.
“We hope this case and the outcome reassures people and gives victims the courage to come forward and report what’s happened to them. We have specialist officers who can help and support you through the process and put you in touch with other support agencies.”