Gurpreet Singh 33

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A man has been jailed for more than a decade after he raped a woman and left her unconscious and partially clothed in a Derby street.

Gurpreet Singh raped the woman after a night out in May 2022.

The victim awoke disorientated in an unknown street the following morning and realised she wasn’t wearing any underwear, shoes, or socks and had on a pair of trousers that didn’t belong to her.

Singh, of Doveridge Walk, Littleover, was arrested and subsequently charged but denied that he had raped the victim.

CCTV evidence gathered during the police investigation showed Singh walking along the street holding the victim up, before heading towards an address in Derby. The victim had no clothing on her bottom half and was not wearing shoes.

The case was sent to trial and in July this year 33-year-old Singh was found guilty by a jury.

On 17 September he appeared at Chesterfield Court where a judge sentenced him to 12 years imprisonment.

Singh was also handed an indefinite restraining order in respect of the victim and is required to register with police for life upon his release from prison.

In extracts from her Victim Personal Statement, which was read out in court, the victim said:

“…The assault changed the way I see myself. It made me feel dirty, ashamed, and as though something had been taken from me. Although I know that what happened was not my fault, those feelings have stayed with me and continue to affect my confidence and self-worth.

“…The assault has taken away my sense of safety, freedom, and peace of mind. It has affected my mental health, my sleep, my relationships, my work, and my ability to enjoy everyday life. Four years later I am still living with the consequences of one person’s actions. I continue to carry the fear, anxiety, and emotional pain every day, and I am still trying to rebuild the confidence and sense of security that were taken away from me.”

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Hayley Doody, said:

“The victim in this case has been incredibly brave for the past four years and I want to thank her for her co-operation and patience with our investigation, and the wider case, while she waited for her day in court.

“Singh is an extremely dangerous and calculating individual, who thought he could rape the victim and get away with it.

“Nothing can undo the trauma that Singh has caused for the victim, but I hope that knowing he has been held accountable and is now behind bars will offer her some peace so that she can move forwards with her life.”