Indian-origin man jailed for life in UK for child rape and attempted assault

The Isleworth Crown Court, late Friday, ruled that Singh must serve a minimum of 14 years before being eligible for parole. (Representative image)

A 24-year-old Indian-origin man, Navroop Singh, has been sentenced to life imprisonment in the UK for the rape of a child and the attempted rape of a woman in separate incidents in London.

The Isleworth Crown Court, late Friday, ruled that Singh must serve a minimum of 14 years before being eligible for parole.

The Metropolitan Police has described the sentencing as the result of a “significant” investigation into Singh’s violent offences.

It should be mentioned that Singh had earlier pleaded guilty to three charges -- rape of a girl under 13, assault of a girl under 13 by penetration, and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Additionally, following a four-day trial, he was convicted of the attempted rape of a woman in west London in October 2024.

The police investigation began after a woman in her 20s reported an attempted rape on October 13, 2024, in Southall Park, Ealing.

Singh, armed with an imitation firearm he had assembled, had been waiting in the early hours of the morning for a potential victim. The woman, however, managed to escape and alerted two off-duty police officers nearby, who accompanied her to the police station.

Following this, ten days later, on October 23, police received a report of a child being raped in another park. Investigators quickly linked the two incidents. With the help of forensic evidence, CCTV footage, and witness accounts, officers tracked Singh down. He was arrested near his home on October 27.

“This conviction is testament to the officers’ thorough investigation, which has identified a violent sexual offender and undoubtedly prevented further harm,” said Acting Chief Superintendent Sean Lynch, who leads policing in the Met's West Area.

“The strength and bravery of the survivors and their families have been vital to this outcome,” Lynch added, commending the victims for reporting the crimes despite their trauma.

Throughout the investigation and trial, the victims were supported by specialist officers.

The Metropolitan Police said the case reflects its intensified focus on tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG), which has become a policing priority in London. “We are placing hundreds more officers into specialist teams, rolling out advanced training, and even employing counter-terrorism tactics to hunt down the city’s most dangerous predators,” the force said.