Gagandeep Singh (Image/X)
An Indian-origin man Gagandeep Singh has been sentenced to 34 years in prison in the United Kingdom after being convicted of kidnapping, torturing and raping a woman in London.The 34-years-old was found guilty in February of two counts of rape, kidnap, false imprisonment and causing grievous bodily harm with intent following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court. He was sentenced on Friday and will serve 28 years in custody followed by a six-year extended licence period under strict restrictions. He cannot be considered for parole until he has served at least 18 years of his custodial term and will be deported after completing his sentence.According to the Metropolitan Police, the case began in June 2024 when a 24-year-old woman became suspicious after being asked to carry a suitcase containing unknown items from Thailand to the UK. After she refused, masked men allegedly forced her into a car upon her arrival at Birmingham Airport and drove her to a house in Hanwell, west London.The court heard that she was subjected to prolonged torture and raped twice by Singh. The abuse lasted for more than a day and included being punched, beaten, stripped, whipped and burnt before she was eventually released and warned not to tell anyone.Investigators said the woman was initially reluctant to disclose the full extent of the abuse because of the trauma she had suffered and fears for her safety. However, with support from her mother and specialist police officers, she later provided a full account of what had happened.Detective Constable Seetara Abdul who led the investigation, praised the victim for her courage in pursuing justice.”The brutality of what the victim in this case faced is unimaginable. “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,” Abdul said.”Threats were made to try and silence her, but the support of her mum and the diligent care shown by the officers investigating her case meant we were able to apprehend and charge an extremely dangerous individual,” she added.Abdul said the victim’s determination throughout the investigation and trial had been remarkable.”We want to thank her for that trust and for the patience, bravery and determination she has shown throughout this investigation and the trial that followed. Her courage in the face of such awful crimes is a testament to her hugely impressive strength and resilience,” she said.A key breakthrough in the case came after the victim’s mother preserved the clothes her daughter had been wearing at the time of the attack. Forensic examination later revealed a DNA match linking Singh to the offences.In a statement released through police, the victim said she had initially been afraid to contact 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.She credited her mother with encouraging her to seek justice.”It was my mum who never gave up. She believed going to the police was the right thing to do. She kept my clothes as evidence and saved all of my doctor’s notes. She said she couldn’t rest knowing they could be doing this to other people,” the victim said.Reflecting on her experience, she added: “To anyone who has experienced abuse, sexual or otherwise, please remember this: we are not the ones who should carry shame. We survive, and we go on to live again.”The victim’s mother also praised the Metropolitan Police for continuing the investigation despite her daughter’s initial reluctance to proceed.”When I contacted the Metropolitan Police, they responded with professionalism and sensitivity and reassured me that I could report this too as a third party,” she said.”As a family, we are grateful for all the support provided. Their actions have given us a sense of closure, and we are reassured that a dangerous individual has now been removed from the streets,” she added.
