Police have appealed for further potential victims to come forward after a man convicted of multiple child sex offences was sentenced to 22 years in prison.
Vruj Patel, aged 26, was admitted to a series of disturbing sexual crimes, including the rape of a child under 13, sexually assaulting a child under 13 by penetration, and four counts of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. All charges relate to a single young victim.
Vruj Patel jailed for 22 years for multiple sex offences
Patel was taken into custody on 1 February this year. He was sentenced this week at Snaresbrook Crown Court and will now spend more than two decades behind bars. Additionally, he has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
The Metropolitan Police have now urged anyone who believes they may have been abused by Patel to come forward, indicating there could be further victims who have not yet spoken out.
Abuse Uncovered Through Phone Repair
The investigation began when Greater Manchester Police contacted the Met in February, after discovering incriminating videos on a mobile phone that had been sent in for repair. The device, it turned out, belonged to Patel’s older brother, Kishan Patel, 31.
Among the files were videos showing a young girl known to the Patel brothers being abused. This led to the identification of Vruj Patel as the perpetrator.
Kishan Patel was sentenced to 15 months in prison after admitting to possessing indecent images of children. He was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Following this, detectives uncovered additional footage, including disturbing clips showing Vruj Patel raping a woman after a university night out.
Offences Likely Span Years
Although police believe the hands-on abuse occurred in 2018, earlier footage suggests Patel’s offending may have started well before then and could have continued until recently.
“Patel is a cowardly, opportunistic offender who has preyed on vulnerable victims for his own sexual gratification.
The threat he poses to women and children has been reflected in his sentence and his future management under the terms of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements for the remainder of his life.
This is a fantastic example of a thorough and detailed investigation by Met detectives working to support victims of the most serious offending and safeguard the wider public from a dangerous offender.
There are teams of dedicated, professional officers working across London who will leave no stone unturned to identify those who seek to commit offences against vulnerable people and bring offenders to justice,” said Detective Sergeant Rob Blant, who led the investigation.
Police Urge Survivors to Come Forward
Officers are encouraging anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Patel, or who has relevant information, to contact police via the Met’s website or by calling 101, quoting Operation Castline.
Specially trained officers will be assigned to support anyone who reaches out.
Help and Support
If you’ve been affected by sexual violence, confidential support is available:
- Rape Crisis (England & Wales): 0808 802 9999
- Rape Crisis Scotland: 0808 801 0302
- Northern Ireland: 0800 0246 991
- Visit: www.rapecrisis.org.uk
For those in the United States, RAINN can be contacted at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
