Navjot Singh 25

Description

Convicted rapist sentenced in absence to 5½ years.

Navjot Singh, 25, last known at The Oval, Whitehaven, is a fugitive after failing to attend both his trial and sentencing at Carlisle Crown Court. A jury convicted him in July of raping an 18-year-old woman in a Workington churchyard on 20 August 2023. In his absence he was jailed for five and a half years, placed on the Sex Offender Register for life, and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order. A warrant for his arrest remains outstanding.

Singh had denied the offence. He also cut contact with his legal team. Police later checked his workplace without success. Court was told he had been working in the Carlisle area but his employer said he had been absent since November last year. “His brother hasn’t seen him for six months,” prosecutor Tim Evans told the court.

The victim had been at Padua’s nightclub on Washington Street, Workington — now closed — on the same night Singh had been drinking after work. He met her there, kissed her, and took her outside. Judge David Pugh said: “She did not wish to go with the defendant and told him so.” Despite her protests he dragged her into a nearby churchyard. “Once there, notwithstanding her protests and notwithstanding that by this time she was crying, he began to assault her.” He then raped her.

CCTV showed Singh running from the scene and hiding behind cars. He was “plainly aware of precisely what he had done,” Mr Evans said. Singh had no previous convictions.

The victim and her mother sat in the public gallery for the sentencing. Mr Evans summarised her impact statement: “She talks about suffering emotionally since the attack.” The court heard she has post-traumatic stress and nightmares, struggles to sleep and sometimes wakes in tears, and is now afraid to go out, preferring to stay at home. “When she does go out, she’s constantly looking around to check if anybody is there,” Mr Evans said. The judge also recorded her loss of independence, sleep problems and self-harming.

Singh remains at large. Anyone with information should contact Cumbria Police.