New Delhi: London's Wood Green Crown Court on Friday sentenced a 50-year-old Indian-origin man, accused of using the lure of jobs to rape women, to 18 years of imprisonment, following a Scotland Yard investigation. According to news agency PTI, Raghu Singamaneni was accused of using the lure of jobs at his massage parlours to rape young women across London. During his trial, judges heard how Singamaneni ran two massage parlours on Holloway Road, Islington, and High Road, Wood Green, in north London. After the completion of the trial, he was unanimously found guilty by the jury of rape and sexual assault, in which four women were involved.
The Metropolitan Police in the UK said detectives compiled sufficient evidence from all the victims and arrested Singamaneni. Subsequently, he was convicted of three instances of rape, which included two counts of sexual assault and one of attempted rape in connection with the four women, reported PTI.
The police further said Singamaneni used to advertise on a job portal for women to come and work at his massage parlour. However, he used to sexually assault women, who used to come and meet him after the appointments, said the Metropolitan Police.
Detective Constable Hussain Sayem, who carried out the investigation said, “This man used his position of authority to carry out a string of sexual assaults on young women.” He further said several of these women were lured in the hope of employment.
Sayem added, “I have no doubt that Singamaneni thought these women would never speak out against him or would never be believed. He was wrong, these women did have the courage to speak out and the jury found him guilty by a unanimous verdict.”
Police Says Singamaneni Was Serial Offender
Moreover, police said Singamaneni was a serial offender. Officials added that he might have attacked other women too. But most of them have not had enough courage to come forward and report their ordeal to the police.
First Case Of Sexual Assault By Singamaneni
The first victim, who informed the matter to the police was 17 years old. She had met Singamaneni for an interview. Later, she met the man at one of his parlours and went through the required training. The next day, she again met Singamaneni at the same parlour. This time, however, the man offered her a glass of prosecco. She told the police that she got intoxicated and sick after drinking it, reported PTI.
Later, Singamaneni took her to a hotel, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her. Two weeks after the incident, the woman registered a complaint at Tottenham police station in London, based on which, Singamaneni was arrested.
Another Case Of Rape By Singamaneni
In the second offence, a 19-year-old woman said she was allegedly raped by Singamaneni. The incident took place at her place of work in north London. She informed the police that Singamaneni had asked for a massage and insisted that she drink some vodka. After the drink, the man allegedly raped her.
In the last offence that took place at the North London hotel, a 17-year-old woman, who had also applied for a job as a masseur, was sexually assaulted.