Police call for further potential victims of sex offender and paedophile Vruj Patel to come forward
Police have demanded more information about a sex offender who has been jailed for 22 years, suggesting he may have more victims.
Vruj Patel, 26, had previously admitted a string of sexual offenses including rape of a child under 13, assault by penetration on a child under 13 and four counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity in relation to a victim.
He was arrested on February 1 this year and sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday. In addition to his 22-year sentence, he was placed on the sex offenders register for life.
Following the sentencing, the Metropolitan Police appealed for other potential victims to come forward.
Greater Manchester Police contacted the Met in February after discovering videos of child sexual assault on a device sent for repairs.
The phone belonged to Patel’s brother, Kishan, and the images showed crimes against a young girl they knew. Kishan Patel, 31, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for possessing indecent images of children. He will serve a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
Patel’s younger brother was identified in the video, and more incriminating footage was later discovered, including videos showing the culprit raping a woman after a college night out.
Each incident of contact crime is believed to have occurred in 2018, but voyeurism predates this and police believe Patel’s offending may have continued until recently.
Detective Sergeant Rob Blant, who led the Met’s investigation, said: “Patel is a cowardly, opportunistic criminal who preys on vulnerable victims for his own sexual gratification. “The threat he poses to women and children is reflected in his sentence and future management under the Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements for the rest of his life.
“This is a fantastic example of the thorough and detailed investigation carried out by Met detectives working to support victims of the most serious crimes and protect the wider community from a dangerous criminal.
“There are teams of dedicated, professional officers working across London who will leave no stone unturned to identify those seeking to commit crimes against vulnerable people and bring criminals to justice.”
Survivors are encouraged to contact police online or call 101, quoting Op Castline, where officers will arrange contact.
Rape Crisis offers support to those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them in England and Wales on 0808 802 9999, in Scotland on 0808 801 0302 and in Northern Ireland on 0800 0246 991 or visit their website at: www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you’re in the US, you can call Rainn at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
