A 24-year-old woman was bundled into a car at Birmingham Airport and subjected to a horrific rape and torture ordeal after refusing to bring a suspicious suitcase back to the UK from Thailand. Masked men drove her to a property in Hanwell, London, where the offences occurred.
Gagandeep Singh Sentenced to 34 Years
Gagandeep Singh, 34, of Heathfield Road, Wandsworth, was sentenced to 34 years in prison after being found guilty of two counts of rape, false imprisonment, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and kidnap at Isleworth Crown Court. The court heard the victim became suspicious when asked to deliver a suitcase containing unknown items from Thailand in June 2024.
Upon her refusal, she was forced into a car at Birmingham Airport by masked men and taken to a house in Hanwell. There, she endured prolonged torture, including being punched, beaten, stripped, whipped, burnt, and raped by Singh on two occasions.
Victim's Ordeal and Bravery
After more than a day of torture, the victim was released and threatened to stay silent. She bravely told her mother about the attack but initially withheld full details. Her mother made a third-party report to police, but the victim needed six weeks to gather the strength to provide a full account, supported by her mother and officers.
Critical evidence came from the clothing she wore during the kidnapping, which her mother preserved. Forensic examination revealed a one-in-a-million DNA match to Singh, who was already in prison for an unrelated offence. He answered no comment to all questions but was convicted based on the DNA evidence and the victim's testimony.
Victim's Statement
In a statement, 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. 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."
"At the time, I felt a deep sense of shame. I have always been someone who stands firm in my decisions, with a strong sense of self, and I didn't want to lose that. My friends and family supported me throughout everything. They made sure I never lost the strength to keep going, and for that I am truly grateful. 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."
Police Investigation
Detective Constable Seetara Abdul, from the Met Police's North West Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said: "The brutality of what the victim in this case faced is unimaginable. 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. 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."
"We know how difficult and daunting it can be for women who have been the victim of this sort of traumatising attack to come forward and share the amount of information required to secure a successful conviction. In this case, a team of supportive female officers focused on prioritising engagement that moved at the victim's pace, allowing her the time to begin to trust the officers and giving her the space to tell her story. We want to 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."
Mother's Gratitude
The victim's mother expressed gratitude: "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."
Sentence
Singh will serve a 34-year sentence, comprising 28 years in custody followed by a 6-year extended licence period. He will not be considered for parole until he has served at least 18 years (two-thirds of the custodial term) and the extended licence, after which he will be deported with no right of re-entry.
