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Three men sentenced following an in-depth investigation into the rape of a young girl.

The sentence follows a swift investigation led by Met Police detectives; with all three men arrested and charged within ten days of the victim reporting the offence.

The three men were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, 10 April to a combined 29 years in prison after being convicted in January of rape, sexual assault, trafficking and creating indecent images of a young girl at the same court.

• Daryl German, 43 (30.08.92) of Melfield Gardens, Lewisham was sentenced to 15 years, with three on an extended licence. He was convicted of arranging travel for exploitation, three counts of rape, assault by penetration and two counts of making indecent images of a child.
• Jordan Donely Wint, 31 (18.11.94) of Winterstoke road, Lewisham was sentenced to six years imprisonment. He was convicted of one count of rape and one count of assault by penetration.
• Deon Smith, 45 (22.12.80) of New Cross Road, Lewisham was sentenced to seven years imprisonment. He was convicted of once count of rape.
  All three were also placed on the sex offenders register for life.

On 27, June 2025 police were made aware of a report of rape that took place at residential address in New Cross area.

Officers immediately launched an investigation and safeguarded the victim, who was 14 at the time of the offence.

Due to the diligence of detectives and a combination of strong forensic and digital evidence, the three men were each arrested within the first week of July 2025 and charged on the same day of their respective arrests.

Detective Constable Jack Best, who led the Met’s investigation, said:

“I extend my thanks to the victim, whose exceptional resilience and determination has proved crucial to the successful prosecution of three dangerous individuals.

“The dedicated investigation team uncovered evidence which proved the harmful actions all three individuals played throughout the attack, securing their removal from London’s streets.

“We’ve transformed the way we investigate rape and sexual offences, more than doubling the number of rape cases charged since 2021.

“We are working to ensure all victim-survivors have the confidence to report these awful crimes by listening to their feedback and working with charities and partners across the criminal justice system.

After reviewing CCTV and digital evidence, officers discovered German was the principal offender in this case.

After identifying a 14 year old girl who was walking alone in Catford, he quickly exploited her vulnerability. German coerced the victim into going to his flat, where he raped her.

Following this assault, German invited his associate Wint to the address. When Wint arrived, the two men became aware that the victim was a missing child. Their failure to contact her family or the police demonstrated their clear and sinister intent.

German later sent explicit messages to a third associate, Smith, referencing sexual contact with the victim. The victim was subsequently taken to Smith’s address, where she was raped again.

From the first report, the victim has been supported by specially trained officers. This support proved vital.

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A Tajikistan national who subjected a 13-year-old girl to an “abhorrent” sexual assault on a train has been found guilty of six charges.

The verdict follows an investigation led by British Transport Police (BTP) detectives from its Major, Serious and Organised Crime (MSOC) team. 

Abdulmanon Aliev, aged 50, originally from Tajikistan but now living on Rye Lane, South London, appeared at Inner London Crown Court for a week-long trial.

On 9 April, the jury found him guilty of two counts of Assault by Penetration, three counts of Sexual Assault and Attempted Rape.

He will be sentenced at the same court on 17 June.  

Jurors heard that on the afternoon of 16 June 2025, the young girl was travelling on a Southend to London train.

During the journey she was approached by Aliev who sat opposite her and attempted to use a translator app on his phone to speak to her.

She then moved away from him to sit elsewhere, but he followed and sat next to her in an aisle seat, blocking her in by the window.

Aliev then forced himself upon the victim and subjected her to a prolonged sexual assault until the service arrived at London Fenchurch Street station where she was able get away from him and alight the train.

The victim boarded another train heading back out of London, leaving Aliev behind at the station.

She bravely reported what she endured to members of the public who encountered her in a distressed state, and the police were informed shortly after.

BTP detectives launched an urgent investigation to identify Aliev, trawling hours of CCTV footage to track his movements before and after the attack.

The manhunt ended on 27 June when plain clothes officers spotted him in Peckham, South London, and he was immediately arrested.

His home address was searched, and officers located and seized the clothes he was wearing during on the day of the attack.

A comprehensive file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and charges were authorised the following day.  

Specialist officers have been supporting the victim and her family throughout the investigation.

BTP Detective Constable Elizabeth Cahill said:

“Aliev singled out a vulnerable child and subjected her to one of the most abhorrent sexual assaults I’ve ever investigated.

“While the focus of attention will rightly be on him as the despicable sexual predator that he is, I want to pay tribute to the brave victim who reported him to police.

“This verdict would not have been possible without her account of what happened and her willingness to support our investigation.

“We take every sexual offence report extremely seriously, and we’ll stop at nothing to put offenders like Aliev before the courts.”

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Two brothers who raped a woman following a Christmas event have been jailed for a total of 18 years after an investigation by specialist Met detectives.

Following the sentencing hearing, the victim-survivor thanked Met officers for their help and support, acknowledging the teams efforts in bringing the dangerous predators to justice.

Justice came after Met officers and prosecutors argued the case should be taken to the Court of Appeal, after a judge initially ruled the defendants had no case to answer.

Marius Todoran, 40 (04.11.1985) of Girton Avenue, Brent, was sentenced on Wednesday, 8 April at Kingston Crown Court to eight years imprisonment for rape.

Vasile Todoran, 43 (18.06.82), of the same address, was sentenced at the same court to 10 years for rape, kidnap, and kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence.

The pair have also been added to the sex offenders register for life.

The brothers were brought to justice after the hard work and dedication from Met officers, who pursued CCTV, phone data and evidence from key witnesses to prove the offences.

Detective Sergeant Josh Dwyer, who led the investigation, said:

First and foremost, I want to commend the bravery of the victim-survivor. She has shown remarkable strength and courage in speaking to police and throughout the investigation and trial. Her testimony was instrumental in ensuring justice was achieved.

The impact of this case cannot be undone by todays sentencing, but we hope that it provides a small amount of closure.

The Met remains committed to tackling violence against women and girls, removing dangerous offenders from Londons streets, and ensuring victims-survivors get the right support at every stage of the criminal justice process.

That is why the original court decision - that there was insufficient evidence to proceed - was challenged, and the tenacity of the Met investigation team and prosecutors has ensured the Todoran brothers have been held to account for their horrific behaviour.

Following the sentencing, the victim-survivor said:

I would like to thank the police for all the help and support they offered me throughout the case, especially Detective Sergeant Josh Dwyer.

I dont think that I wouldve been able to get through this without all police officers help and care. I would also like to say to whoever reads this to trust and call the police when something happens to them.

The investigation

In December 2023, the victim-survivor, aged in her 40s, encountered Vasile Todoran after she left a Christmas event Queensbury, North West London. CCTV later showed her being forcibly taken to the address where the Todoran brothers rented a room. The victim-survivor attempted to get away from Vasile Todoran on multiple occasions before she was forced into the property, where she was raped.

A complex investigation followed, during which specialist officers reviewed hours of CCTV footage and analysed call and phone data to piece together the events of the evening and build a full picture of the brothers offending. This included interviewing key witnesses and carrying out urgent forensic submissions.

The brothers were later charged. A trial began in November 2024, but during proceedings the judge ruled that there was no case to answer, leading to the case being dismissed.

This decision was heavily challenged by both the investigation team and the prosecution and, as a result, was escalated to the Court of Appeal. The appeal overturned the dismissal and ruled that the case should return to the crown court for a full retrial.

Following a re-examination of all the evidence, the brothers were found guilty at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, 27 February 2026.

The Met continues to prioritise the safety of women and girls and is relentlessly targeting offenders to secure justice for victims of sexual violence. As part of the Mets victim-centered approach, the organisation has rolled out new, bespoke training to 23,000 officers and staff. This training is strengthening officer skills to better investigate rape and serious sexual offences and provide more meaningful support to victims. This training has seen stronger outcomes for victims and survivors, with the Met tripling charges for rape and serious sexual offences. More victim-survivors are also bravely reporting offences to police.

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A man who abused a family’s trust to secure alone time with a young girl and threatened to harm her if she spoke out about the sexual abuse, has been brought to justice.

He has today been sentenced to 15 years in prison following a detailed investigation led by Met detectives.

Kamran Khan, 44 (07.02.82), of Streatham High Road, Lambeth, was sentenced Wednesday, 1 April and received 15 years at Inner London Crown Court.

Khan was found guilty at the same court on Thursday, 15 January for ten sexual offences against a child. This included the rape of a girl under the age of 13, and the assault of a girl under 13 by touching. The offending relates to one victim.

Khan was brought to justice after the hard work and dedication from Met Officers. The team used detail phone analysis and forensics to prove Khans multiple offences against the girl.

Detective Constable Franky Green, part of the Met’s Child Abuse Investigation Team said:

“I commend the courage of the victim and her family who came forward to bring light to Khan’s terrible offences. Khan prayed on a defenceless child and took advantage of formed connections which he used as a smokescreen for his abusive crimes.

“The immeasurable bravery of the victim and their family is tremendously appreciated.

“Our Child Sexual Exploitation team works tirelessly to create a safe, supportive environment where victims feel able to speak freely. Their specialist approach ensures that children and families are heard, protected and empowered throughout the investigative process.”

Khan was arrested on 6 July 2025, and an investigation subsequently began following a report from a family member accusing Khan of rape and the serious sexual assault of a child.

The range of abuse was uncovered after a family member witnessed an interaction between the child and Khan. Despite Khan threatening the child would be killed if she disclosed the harm he subjected her to, she bravely spoke out to a family member. She shared the sexual abuse she had suffered at his hands within her home, in her bedroom, and on a park bench.

With offending having been committed against a young child within her own home, officers worked resourcefully to secure evidence.

Khan’s phone was seized at the point of arrest and downloaded for review. The victim had disclosed that she had been forced to watch videos on his phone, and officers found corroborative pornographic material within his search history.

Additionally, forensic samples collected from Khan, as well as DNA samples from the victim, showed sexual contact had occurred.

The Met continues to strengthen its efforts to tackle child abuse across online, institutional, familial, and community settings, with officers remaining determined to bring offenders to justice. We have intensified our response through major investment in digital forensics, rapid analysis software, and advanced monitoring tools to track the activity of registered sex offenders. These efforts have contributed to three times more cases solved last year and 134 additional suspects being charged.

In addition to his 15-year sentence, Khan is now on the registered sex offenders list and was served with a restraining order as well as a sexual harm prevention order.

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A man who sexually assaulted four women and stalked another over five months across the railway network has been sentenced following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Craig Anthony Anderson, 38 (14/05/87), of no fixed address, was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison on 23 March at The Old Bailey. Following a trial in January, he was found guilty of four counts of Sexual Assault and one count of Stalking.

He also received a 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which prohibits him from a number of things including being able to approach, sit or stand near lone women. He also received a two restraining orders.

The court heard how Anderson embarked on a spree of sexual offending between June and October 2025, targeting lone women travelling across London and surrounding regions.

On 14 June last year just before 4pm at Bank Underground Station, Anderson followed a young woman up the stairs and engaged her in unwanted conversation. He asked for her name and phone number before telling her she looked "sexy".

The victim asked him to leave her alone before he then sexually assaulted her. As he walked away from her, he stuck his tongue out at her and laughed as he headed through the station.

Just over a week later, on 26 June, Anderson attempted to strike up a conversation with another young woman on board a train at Guildford, asking her for her social media account details. The pair exchanged phone numbers, though he soon began to harass her over text for the next few weeks.

Declining his invitation to meet up, on 15 July he followed her from Epsom railway station onto the train to Victoria, verbally abusing her before he attempted to snatch her belongings. Anderson followed her for the next part of her journey, forcing her to hide in the toilets at Canary Wharf until Anderson left. He proceeded to regularly send her sexual messages and images to her mobile phone until his arrest in early October 2025.

Then on the morning of 2 August, Anderson approached a young woman exiting Liverpool Street station, tapping her on the arm to ask where she was going. He attempted to ask her for her social media accounts, which she refused to give. He then exclaimed that she was being difficult and requested to touch her. She again refused, and Anderson proceeded to sexually assault her before walking off and leaving the station.

Just weeks later on 29 August at Westminster Underground station, Anderson approached a woman asking for directions to Finchley and followed her up the escalator before sexually assaulting her, laughing before turning to head back down the escalator.

On the evening of 6 October Anderson approached a woman on the platform at Purley railway station. He asked her for directions to Gatwick Airport and continued to engage her in conversation, asking a slew of personal questions. They both boarded the same train and he chose to sit next to her.

He then asked her for her mobile number and email address, to which she declined and said she wasn't interested. He then asked what would she do if he tried to kiss her, and she said she would report him to the police. Anderson then sexually assaulted her, and while she attempted to get out of her seat he blocked her path. She was eventually able to escape and left the train at Redhill station.

BTP officers were able to identify Anderson from CCTV stills and he was pointed out by the victims in an identification parade as the man responsible for the series of offences. He was arrested during an in person interview at the Passport Office where he claimed he would be leaving the UK in a matter of weeks.

In the police car on the way to custody, and while under caution, Anderson proceeded to make derogatory comments about the women he targeted before claiming he had not been at the locations of the alleged assaults, despite the CCTV footage proving otherwise.

Detective Constable Libby Wildego said:

“Anderson is a dangerous predator who preyed on women for his own sexual gratification. Just as he did throughout the assaults themselves, when we questioned him under caution he smirked throughout and offered no comment, highlighting the sheer lack of remorse for his actions.

"It is thanks to the brave victims who came forward and supported our investigation that we have seen Anderson sentenced for his horrific crimes. Despite his own behaviour in court where he voluntarily left before he received his sentence, I hope this result provides some sense of comfort for the victims.

"If you experience or witness a sexual offence on a train or at a station, please report it to us by texting 61016. We take every report we receive seriously and will stop at nothing to bring sexual offenders like Anderson to justice."

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Matthew Johnston has been jailed for 16 years for grooming and sexually abusing a young boy in Littlehampton over several years.

Johnston, 49, of Haynes Close in Tottenham, London, began grooming and sexually assaulting the victim in 2014 when he was four years old.

Over a number of ensuing years, Johnston subjected the boy to repeated rapes and sexual abuse.

Johnston was a regular attendee at ComiCon-style events, and used events based around Star Wars and superheroes to groom the victim.

The abuse was reported to Sussex Police in December, 2024, at which point the victim and his family were supported by specialist officers and an investigation was launched.

Johnston was arrested and subsequently charged with two counts of rape of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, two counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

At Hove Crown Court on Friday, 10 October, he was found guilty on all counts.

At the same court on Monday (23 March), he was sentenced to 16 years in prison, with a further five years to be spent on extended licence after the Court judged him to be a dangerous offender.

He has also been given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, Restraining Order and will remain on the Sex Offenders Register.

Detective Constable Jacob Parkin said:

Matthew Johnston groomed, manipulated and abused this young victim over many years, in a total betrayal of the trust of him and his family.

My thanks go to the victim and his family for their strength throughout this investigation. I have no doubt how challenging this process has been for them, but they have helped bring a dangerous offender to justice.

If you, or anyone you know, has been a victim of sexual offending, please report it to Sussex Police. We will support you and we will do all we can to get you justice.

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A woman raped by a vape shop owner when she was 14 told the paedophile he would “rot in prison”.

Iqbal Singh, 45, who also goes by Tony, groomed the schoolgirl at his Phone Repairs and Vape Store in Station Way, Cheam, by giving her free cannabis vapes and alcohol. He befriended her and other schoolchildren, letting them use the shop’s back room to watch TV, smoke THC vapes and drink alcohol he bought.

In late 2020, after getting drunk at a party and not wanting to go home, she asked to sleep in the shop. She woke to find Singh raping her. Three of the four sexual assaults occurred when he lifted her to reach £20 vapes on high shelves.

At Croydon Crown Court on Friday, March 13, Singh was convicted of rape and four sexual assaults against the same victim. He received a 22-year extended sentence — 14 years in custody plus eight years on licence — after Judge Tony Hyams-Parish ruled he posed a danger to adolescent girls. He must serve two-thirds of the prison term before parole eligibility. A restraining order was also imposed.

Looking at Singh, seated 10 metres away, the victim said: “The impact you had on me will be forever. 

“It’s horrible. I can never unsee, forget or forgive what you have done, but whilst you rot in prison, missing the years you will blame me for losing, acting as the poor victim who couldn’t help himself but to rape a young, drunk and vulnerable schoolgirl, just know I am free.  

“You have no control over my thoughts, my feeling, my life or my future – whilst your future is in the hands of the judge who I pray gives you, the vile paedophile, the harshest of sentences.”

She added: “It has left me with a feeling of grief, not because of what happened, but for who I could have been.” Now at university, she said: “While I may struggle to continue to grow, learn and move on, just know the young girl you raped, you traumatised, the life you tried to ruin will continue.   

“I will become the person I want to be. I will graduate university. I will control my own life and my future.”

The court heard Singh committed a “strikingly similar” offence against a 16-year-old in 2019 at his previous Mobilfox vape shop in Hayes. Prosecutor Andrew Bousfield said he fixed the girl’s phone for free, plied her with vapes and money, told her he loved her and sexually assaulted her. Singh was convicted of that assault in 2022.

“He has used his vape shops to attract victims and he clearly had an attraction to the type of girls who would come to the vape shops,” Bousfield said.

A probation officer told the court Singh had “distorted views of age and consent” and saw himself as the victim. At trial he denied any sexual contact and accused the girl of lying.

The victim said: “I felt like I was on trial for being raped. [The defence barrister] accused me of being in love with this monster.  

“I can see why so many women and girls don’t want to go to court when they’re treated worse than the rapist sitting in the courtroom.”

Judge Hyams-Parish told Singh: “It is quite clear to me you were grooming [the victim].”

The victim’s mother said Singh manipulated her daughter with free vapes he claimed were supplier samples. The grooming began months after he took over the Cheam shop — about a year after the Hayes offence.

“The disturbing similarities in his approach to both girls reveal a calculated and refined pattern of grooming,” she said. “That’s why I remain deeply concerned that there may be many more victims out there.

“Singh operated shops in Hayes in Bromley, and Cheam, and has known connections in Carshalton and Croydon. I urge every parent: if you’ve found vapes in your child’s possession or noticed sudden changes in their behaviour, trust your instincts. Start the conversation. It could make all the difference.”

She added: “I am incredibly proud of my daughter for finding the courage to stand up — not just for herself, but for others. She endured the trauma of going to court because she couldn’t bear the thought that if she stayed silent, it might happen to someone else.”

Met Police Det Sgt Toyene Lait said: “We remain concerned other survivors have not yet been identified. We are here to help, and anyone who would like to make a report should contact 101.”

Singh, born in Afghanistan and married with children, dissolved the Hayes business in October 2019 before buying the Cheam shop. The vape businesses now at both premises are owned by unrelated individuals.

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Iraqi National Convicted of Rape at London Hostel

Yousif Al-Maliki, 30, an Iraqi national who entered the UK by small boat, has been convicted of raping a woman at the Astor Hostel in South Kensington on Friday, August 1, 2025.

Al-Maliki denied the charge, but a jury at Southwark Crown Court found him guilty by a majority of 10 to two after a week-long trial.

Judge Christopher Hehir told him: “You have been convicted by a jury of a very serious offence. Be under no illusion, you will be going to prison for some time.”

The court heard the attack took place in a 12-bed dormitory at the hostel. Al-Maliki was staying at the Home Office-approved Peckham Lodge Hotel in south London at the time of his arrest. He was assisted in court by an Arabic interpreter, although the judge noted: “He understands English perfectly well.”

Prosecutor Jose Olivares-Chandler described the offence as arising from “a hostel scenario where the defendant was in a dormitory with 12 beds.”

Al-Maliki’s asylum claim has been paused pending the criminal case. His defence said he is a bisexual Iraqi national who entered the UK illegally but was fleeing persecution.

Judge Hehir has ordered a probation service assessment for dangerousness before sentencing. Al-Maliki remains in custody and will be sentenced on Tuesday, April 21.

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A serial sex offender who groped schoolchildren has been jailed for breaching court orders.

Goherali Damani, 60, of Pilgrim Close in Morden, was sentenced to one year in prison on March 4 at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty.

Previously convicted in 2023 of sexually assaulting schoolgirls as young as 12 and exposing himself to women and children on buses in south London, Damani was subject to a sexual harm prevention order. It banned him from using public transport without an Oyster card registered in his name and from sitting next to any unknown female.

On November 18 last year, he breached the order by sitting next to a woman on the 155 bus in Lambeth without tapping in using a registered card.

Magistrates concluded he had a flagrant disregard for court orders, justifying only a prison sentence.

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A manhunt is underway for rapist Jonas Amogbokpa, 55, who fled midway through his trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

Amogbokpa kidnapped and raped a stranger in his car after spotting her walking home in Lewisham in August 2024.

He gave evidence on Wednesday, February 11, but failed to return the next day, telling his lawyer he was ill. Police found his door open at his home address, but he was gone.

Convicted in his absence of rape and kidnapping with intent to commit a sexual offence, he was not on remand. The judge issued an arrest warrant, describing him as a danger to the public. Efforts to trace him continue after three weeks.

A source said: “He clearly felt the evidence didn’t go well for him. He didn’t come to court the next day, telling his lawyer he was ill.”

Another source added:

“He had not been held on remand and so was able to escape justice. The judge has said he is a danger to the public due to his crimes. 

“So far, he has not been apprehended. I think it is important that the public are made aware of this criminal who is now back on the streets of south London hiding out somewhere.”

A Met Police spokesperson said:

“Police enquiries to locate him are ongoing. 

“Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

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A man who lured a woman to a hotel on the pretence of finding her employment has been found guilty of rape.

This follows an investigation demonstrating the Met’s commitment to tackling violence against woman and girls across London.

Gurwinder Singh, 37 (17.12.88) of Kingshill Avenue, Northolt, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, 18 February.

He was found guilty of rape, attempted rape, assault by penetration, two counts of sexual assault and one count of common assault. He will be sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, 15 April.

Detectives believe the scale of Singh’s offending may be much wider and are making a direct appeal for any other victim-survivors to come forward.

The investigation

On 22 June 2025, a woman contacted police and reported she had been raped at a hotel in Paddington.

She told detectives she had been given the contact details of someone who could help her find a job, and began communicating with them via WhatsApp to find out more.

The victim-survivor spoke to someone she thought to be a woman, who said they could secure her shifts as a care worker, as long as she was able to provide her national insurance number and passport details.

She was given an address in Paddington and was told to meet there on the evening of 21 June, where she would be helping look after a sportsman with serious injuries.

On arrival at the station, she was met by a man who said he was a care assistant and would be working alongside her. They travelled together to a hotel, where the man left her in a room and said the patient would arrive soon.

Shortly afterwards, the same man returned to the room claiming he was the ‘sportsman’ and undressed, telling her he needed a massage. She refused to do so and he then became physically violent before assaulting and raping her.

The victim managed to run out of the hotel where two members of the public saw her in distress and helped her into a taxi.

Later that same evening, she received a call from the same person who had arranged the job, telling her the whole incident had been recorded and would ‘go viral’ if she reported it to anyone.

Despite these warnings, she bravely reported the incident to police the following day.

Detectives immediately began an investigation and tracked Singh down to the same hotel on 11 August, where he was arrested.

Police carried out a search of his home and seized nine devices which were forensically examined.

On downloading the data, it quickly became evident that the woman arranging the employment was in fact Singh, and that he had pretended to be a woman to gain the victim’s trust.

The appeal

After months trawling through messages, officers now believe Singh has been in contact with many other women who may have been victim to similar offences.

Investigative work has shown that Singh booked rooms at the same hotel on more than 100 occasions between December 2024 and August 2025, and that he had conversations with many other women pretending he could help find them work.

Officers are working to speak to those who have had contact with Singh on WhatsApp, but are also appealing for others to come forward following Singh’s conviction.

They are particularly keen to hear from women in the Indian community who live in the Hayes or Southall area, as they believe he may have targeted a specific community. However, detectives are keeping an open mind and are appealing to anyone who may have met or spoken to Singh online, or anyone who has any information about his offending.

Detective Constable Lydia Webb, who led the investigation, said:

“The victim in this case has shown incredible courage in coming forward and disclosing what happened to her – it is thanks to her bravery that Singh has been convicted and is unable to cause further harm.

“We believe that there may be other women who have been subject to Singh’s crimes and we want to provide reassurance that any reports will be fully investigated and dealt with sensitively and with compassion.

“We recognise that coming forward can be a daunting experience, but would encourage victim-survivors to speak with us so they can get the support and help they very much deserve. All victims of sexual assault are given anonymity for life."

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Met police officers have commended the bravery of seven survivors after a dangerous sexual offender was convicted on Friday, 13 February at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Abdul Halim Khan, 54 (26.01.72) of Old Ford Road, E3 was found guilty of 21 offences including nine counts of rape.

The offences took place over a 11-year period between 2004 and 2015, where Khan abused his position as a respected faith leader within the local community to abuse multiple women and girls.

Khan abused his position as a faith leader by pretending to have spiritual powers to coerce and sexually abuse girls as young as 12. He manipulated the victims, threatening harm on their families in an attempt to continue his extensive offending.

Yesterday’s conviction signifies the dedication of investigators, who did everything in their power to support the survivors and achieve justice on their behalf.

Detective Sergeant Sara Yems, who led this investigation, said:

“It shows remarkable strength for anyone to report abuse, especially when the abuser is believed to be a trusted figure. The seven woman who came forward have shown extraordinary courage in speaking with police and I hope they serve as inspiration to other victims and survivors.

“While nothing will undo the harm suffered by these women – yesterday’s conviction will hopefully offer a small measure of comfort. I’d like to thank the dedicated team of Met officers who left no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice.

“We remain absolutely committed to tackling violence against women and girls, targeting dangerous offenders and removing them from London’s streets.”

Follow the verdict one of the survivors of Khan's abuse thanked the Met’s investigation team for restoring their trust. She said:

“The abuse I suffered as a child has had a profound and lasting impact on my life. What happened to me did not end when the abuse stopped, it affected my sense of safety, my ability to trust others, and the way I understood relationships and authority.

“Someone who should never have harmed me violated that trust, and the effects of that betrayal have stayed with me for many years and I continue to carry that trauma with me.

“Like many survivors of childhood sexual abuse, I lived with shame, fear, and confusion that were not mine to carry. The loss of trust, in people, in systems, and at times in myself, shaped much of my adult life.

“Coming forward was an extremely difficult decision. Speaking about what happened meant revisiting painful memories and facing emotions I had tried to suppress for years. However, being listened to, believed, and treated with dignity throughout the investigation helped restore some of the trust that had been taken from me. I am grateful to the Metropolitan Police officers who handled my case with care, professionalism, and sensitivity.

“I hope this outcome acknowledges not only the abuse itself, but the deep and lasting harm it causes. I also hope it encourages other survivors of childhood sexual abuse to know that they are not alone, they are not to blame, and that what happened to them matter, regardless of how much time has passed.”

The investigation

Police first became aware of Khan’s offending in February 2018 when the youngest victim reported Khan to a teacher at her school.

Following the allegations, Met detectives began to build a case against Khan.

As part of their investigation, officers interviewed over 50 witnesses and examined ten mobile phone devices.

In his interview’s Khan repeatedly denied the allegations stating it was a conspiracy, and the victims had concocted a story for revenge.

Khan was charged on Thursday, 16 March 2023.

Abdul Halim Khan was found guilty of the following offences:

• Nine counts of rape
• Four counts of sexual assault
• Two counts of sexual assault of a child under thirteen
• Five counts of rape of a child under thirteen
• One count of assault by penetration

He has been remanded into custody ahead of sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, 14 May.

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A man who masturbated on board a morning train and later claimed he thought he was alone has been jailed for one year and eight months, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Igor Borges, 29, and of Nether Street, Barnet, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on Monday 2 February after pleading guilty to Exposure and breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

He was also ordered to sign sex offenders register for 10 years and pay a victim surcharge.

The court heard how at around 9am on 1 September last year on board a train from London Bridge to West Croydon, Borges was sat across the aisle from the victim when he exposed himself and started masturbating while looking at her.

She noticed in the window reflection that Borges was staring at her, and when she looked over and saw him masturbating, he continued. The victim then called the police on 999, and Borges put his finger to his lips to indicate not to tell anyone.

She stood up from her seat and moved carriages to find another seat, and Borges followed her through the carriage apologising. As she walked through the train, she told other passengers what had happened who intervened and stopped Borges following her.

He left the train at West Croydon and BTP detectives launched an investigation to track him down.

Through their enquiries using the on-train CCTV, Borges was identified as he already had a SHPO in place which he breached in committing the offence that morning. He was arrested at his home address two weeks later.

His existing SHPO had been in place since August 2023 and prohibited him from making any direct or indirect approach to a female not known to him in a public place.  

Upon being arrested he stated it wasn't him that committed the offence and the officers had it wrong, although later in interview he claimed he thought he was alone when he masturbated on-board the train.

Due to the strong case against him built by BTP Detectives, Borges changed his original not guilty plea to guilty.

BTP Detective Constable Karim Omer said:

"This is not the first time Borges has been caught for a crime like this, and his far-fetched excuse that he was alone on a train in Central London at 9am did not wash with us.

"It is thanks to the courage of the victim in reporting his disgusting actions that we have been able to bring him before the courts and put him behind bars, and I hope that this sentence provides the victim a sense of closure.

“If you experience or witness a sexual offence on-board a train or at a station, I urge you to report it to us by texting 61016. We take every report seriously and will stop at nothing to bring sexual offenders like Borges to justice.”

Record details

A man who sexually abused a young child in Southampton has been jailed for eight years.

Juan Francisco De La Cruz, 59, assaulted a girl – who was under the age of 13 – at a property in Southampton on multiple occasions in 2022.

De La Cruz, of Robert Keen Close, Southwark, London, was convicted following a trial at Winchester Crown Court of two counts of assault by touching, and one of assaulting of a girl by penetration.

Appearing at the same court last Thursday (5 February), he was jailed for eight years.

He will also be subject to an indefinite restraining order and sexual harm prevention order.

DC Katharine Mumford, from the Child Abuse Investigation Team, who led the investigation, said:

“De La Cruz is a depraved and predatory offender who targeted a vulnerable child. No sentence can erase the impact of his actions, but I hope today’s result offers the victim and their family some sense of justice.

“I want to recognise the immense bravery shown by the young victim in coming forward and speaking about what happened. Their courage has been central to securing this conviction.

“Our team is dedicated to protecting children, pursuing offenders, and supporting families through what is often an incredibly painful process. We will always work tirelessly to ensure those who commit these appalling offences and harm children are brought before the courts.”

Record details

Former teacher jailed for grooming and sexually abusing a pupil

A former teacher at Oaks Park High School in Carshalton has been jailed for sexually abusing a child he groomed while employed there in 2020.

Gary Vigar, 34, exchanged more than 2,000 messages with the girl, kissed her repeatedly and made her touch his penis at least six times. The court heard they also had late-night sexual phone calls after his wife had gone to bed.

Vigar initially denied the offences but changed his plea on the second day of his trial at Croydon Crown Court. He admitted two counts of sexual assault of a child by touching, three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent. Charges of rape and sexual activity involving penetration were dropped.

On Friday 6 February, Judge Elizabeth Smaller sentenced him to five years and seven months in prison. He must serve at least half before release on licence and was made subject to an eight-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The judge told him:

“You only have yourself to blame. You have taken your life and blown it up. Your career as a teacher is over and more than that you have affected the lives of those close to you.”

The victim reported the abuse in 2021, but the case did not reach trial until November last year. In her statement she said:

“Words don’t feel adequate to explain and describe the effect this abuse has had on me… I have spent many years of my life just trying to survive. I don’t want another innocent young person to live through that nightmare. This isn’t a form of revenge, this is just the justice that I deserve.”

She added that the long delays had made the years “the worst of my young life.”

Judge Smaller expressed regret at the four-year wait and noted that Vigar had deleted messages in an attempt to evade detection. However, she gave him credit for eventually pleading guilty, sparing the victim a full trial, and for seeking counselling.

The victim had told police:

“I was scared that if I didn’t do something he asked… Don’t get me wrong, at the start I was taking part and was asking for it, but towards the end I didn’t really want it. He said he wanted to take my virginity, he always asked me to go to his house and I kept saying no.”