A UK court sentences Indian-origin man Gagandeep Singh, 34, to 34 years in prison after convicting him of kidnapping, raping and torturing a 24-year-old woman in London. Prosecutors said the victim was taken to a property in Hanwell, west London, where she was subjected to prolonged abuse. The case began after the woman was asked to transport a suitcase from Thailand to the UK in June 2024; after she became suspicious and refused, she was allegedly forcibly taken when she arrived at Birmingham Airport by masked men. The trial at Isleworth Crown Court in February resulted in guilty verdicts on two counts of rape, along with convictions for kidnapping, false imprisonment and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Police said the victim was initially hesitant to provide a full account, but with support from her mother and specialist officers she later gave details of what happened. Investigators reported a forensic breakthrough after the woman’s mother kept the clothes she had been wearing, leading to a DNA match linking Singh to the offences. Singh’s sentence includes 28 years in custody and a further six-year extended licence period with strict restrictions, and he cannot be considered for parole until he has served at least 18 years or two-thirds of the custodial term. Some reports also state he faces deportation after completing his sentence.
