Indian-origin Vruj Patel jailed for 22 years over series of sexual offences

It all began when a routine repair job of an Indian-origin man blew the lid off videos of child sexual abuse in East London.

Vruj Patel, a 26-year-old Indian-origin man from east London was sentenced by Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday to over 22 years in prison for horrific sexual crimes, including the rape of a child under 13.

Patel will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life. His older brother, Kishan Patel, 31, was also sentenced at the same hearing to 15 months for possession of indecent images of children. He has been given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The case came to light when Greater Manchester Police received a report that videos of child sexual abuse had been discovered on a device sent for repair. The device was traced to Kishan, but Met officers quickly identified Vruj as the perpetrator in the footage.

Subsequent investigations uncovered further videos and images, including offences against a young girl known to the brothers, a rape of a woman after a university night out, and voyeurism involving another young victim. Detectives linked Vruj to the footage using clothing and jewellery comparisons.

He previously admitted to rape of a child under 13, of a child under 13 by penetration, four counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, rape of a woman over 16, sexual assault by penetration, possession of indecent images of children, and voyeurism.

Sentencing Patel, the court heard that many of the offences took place in 2018, though evidence suggests his offending may have continued more recently.

Detective Sergeant Rob Blant, who led the investigation, described Patel as a “cowardly, opportunistic offender” who had exploited vulnerable victims for his own 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,” D S Blant said.

“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.”

Police are urging anyone who may have had contact with Patel or who believes children may have been placed in his care to come forward.