An Indian-origin man has been sentenced to 34 years’ imprisonment after a jury found him guilty of kidnap, torture and rape following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court. Gagandeep Singh, 34, was convicted in February of two counts of rape, false imprisonment, causing grievous bodily harm with intent and kidnap. He will serve 28 years in custody followed by a six-year extended licence period under strict conditions and cannot be considered for parole until he has served at least 18 years (around two-thirds of the custodial term).
The court heard that the 24-year-old victim was asked in June 2024 to deliver a suitcase from Thailand to the UK. Becoming suspicious, she refused; on arriving at Birmingham Airport she was forced into a car by masked men and taken to a house in Hanwell, west London. There she was subjected to more than a day of prolonged torture and was raped on two occasions, the prosecution said. The abuse included being punched, beaten, stripped, whipped, burnt and threatened to ensure her silence.
Detective Constable Seetara Abdul of the Metropolitan Police’s North West Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, who led the investigation, described the violence as “unimaginable” and praised the victim for coming forward. “She has shown immense bravery in coming forward and helping us ensure her attacker faces justice. The cruel level of control left her fearing for her life,” DC Abdul said. Investigators say threats were made to stop the victim speaking, but forensic evidence from the clothing she was wearing and the support of her family led to Singh’s arrest and charge.
In a statement released through police, the victim said she initially feared contacting the authorities. “I never wanted to contact the police. It felt daunting. I was left thinking that if I did, I could be putting myself and the people around me in danger,” she said, adding that her mother’s determination to report the crime and keep evidence proved crucial. Her mother praised the Met for a “professional and sensitive” response and said the family felt reassured that “a dangerous individual has now been removed from the streets.”
The Metropolitan Police said the case underlines ongoing work to strengthen training and specialist victim services for violence against women and girls (VAWG). Authorities thanked the victim for her courage and highlighted the role of careful policing and forensic work in securing the conviction.
Original Source: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/indian-origin-man-jailed-for-34-years-in-uk-for-kidnapping-and-rape-11629947#publisher=newsstand
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Publish Date: 2026-06-13 02:40:00
