An Indian-origin man, Gagandeep Singh, 34, was sentenced to 34 years in prison on Friday for kidnapping, torturing, and raping a woman in London. The sentence was handed down at Isleworth Crown Court after Singh was found guilty in February of two counts of rape, false imprisonment, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and kidnap.
The 34-year sentence includes 28 years in custody followed by a six-year extended licence period under strict restrictions. Singh cannot be considered for parole until he has served at least 18 years, or two-thirds of the custodial term.
The trial heard that the victim, a 24-year-old woman, was taken to a house in Hanwell, west London, where she was subjected to prolonged torture. Detective Constable Seetara Abdul from the Metropolitan Police's North West Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, who led the investigation, said: "The brutality of what the victim in this case faced is unimaginable." Abdul added: "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."
The court learned that the woman became suspicious when asked to deliver a suitcase containing unknown items from Thailand back to the UK in June 2024. She refused, and upon arrival at Birmingham Airport, she was forced into a car by masked men and driven to London, where Singh raped her on two occasions. The Metropolitan Police noted that she was traumatized by the experience and initially reluctant to disclose the full truth.
"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," said DC Abdul. "We 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."
After more than a day of torture, which included being punched, beaten, stripped, whipped, burnt, and raped, the victim was released by her captors. She was threatened and warned not to tell anyone. In a statement released through the police, the victim said: "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 credited her mother for urging her to report the crime: "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 added: "At the time, I felt a deep sense of shame... 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."
In the hours after her release, the victim confided in her mother, who made an initial third-party report to the police. The clothing her daughter had been wearing when kidnapped was submitted for forensic examination, leading to Singh's arrest. The victim's mother stated: "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. Despite my daughter initially not wishing to proceed, they took my concerns seriously and continued to investigate due to the seriousness of the offences." She added: "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."
The Metropolitan Police said they have significantly strengthened training and response to violence against women and girls (VAWG), complemented by strengthened specialist victim support services.
