Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Monday 31st March 2025, at 16:25hrs
Gagandeep Gulati, 20, has been sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted of rape and sexual assault following a harrowing incident in Leicester last September.
The conviction was secured thanks to the relentless efforts of a dedicated detective and crucial CCTV footage.
Gulati targeted a vulnerable young woman in Leicester’s Jubilee Square, coercing her into going to Castle Gardens where he subjected her to a brutal rape and sexual assault.
He further compounded her trauma by recording the assault on his mobile phone and sharing clips with others.
The investigation, led by detectives from the Signal team, Leicestershire Police’s specialist rape and serious sexual violence unit, faced significant challenges.
Detective Constable Matt Smith undertook the painstaking task of reviewing countless hours of CCTV footage in an attempt to identify the victim and the perpetrator.
After a week of meticulous work, DC Smith located footage capturing Gulati’s movements, though his identity remained unknown.
A breakthrough occurred when DC Smith visited Gulati’s accommodation for further inquiries and immediately recognized him from the CCTV footage. Gulati was promptly arrested.
DC Smith then worked diligently to prepare the evidence for the Crown Prosecution Service, anticipating and countering any attempts by the defence to discredit the victim using harmful myths and stereotypes.
During his interview, Gulati attempted to deflect blame, falsely claiming he was the victim of sexual assault.
However, the weight of the evidence led to him being charged with one count of rape, one count of assault by penetration, one count of sexual assault, and one count of sharing an intimate film.
Following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, Gulati, formerly of Peacock Lane, Leicester, was found guilty on all counts on Friday, March 28th.
He was sentenced to six years imprisonment and placed on the sex offender register for life.
DC Smith expressed his satisfaction with the verdict, stating, “Even during cross examination, Gulati tried to claim that the victim had instigated the sexual activity and tried to blame her for the offence.
He’s shown no remorse for his actions, which was to deliberately target a young woman while she was alone for his own sexual gratification.”
He praised the victim’s courage, saying, “The victim has shown immense bravery by reliving her ordeal through the trial and I hope this outcome will provide a sense of closure and allow her to move on with her life.”
The case highlights the importance of thorough investigative work and the dedication of officers in bringing perpetrators of sexual violence to justice.
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