The Falfield Rapist, Inderjit Singh Bains, was convicted of assaulting and raping a woman in Bristol over 23 years ago and has been sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison.
Inderjit Singh Bains, 46, of Heneage Lane, Falfield, perpetrated an assault on a woman after transporting her in his van.
The woman, currently in her fifties, reported the event to the police in January 2022 and had notably memorised the offender’s license plate, which facilitated his identification and apprehension.
A jury unanimously convicted Inderjit Singh Bains of rape and actual bodily injury after a trial at Bristol Crown Court in March.
During the sentence hearing conducted today (Friday, April 25) in Inderjit Singh Bains’ absence, Judge James Patrick stated that the act entailed “a degree of abduction” and that the assault was “prolonged and persistent,” resulting in a “long-standing emotional effect” on the victim.
Inderjit Singh Bains collected the victim, engaged in street prostitution, in his white panel van in the St Werburghs neighbourhood of the city at approximately 1am on 10 January 2002. The van circled the vicinity before halting outside a pub, where Bains signalled for the victim to approach.
Upon finalising a fee, Inderjit Singh Bains proceeded towards Eastgate, the destination requested by the victim. However, he continued on the M32 towards Frenchay, where he halted in an isolated location off Stoke Lane.
The victim requested payment initially, prompting Inderjit Singh Bains to feign retrieving it from his jacket pocket before assaulting her with multiple punches to the face and body, resulting in her losing and swallowing a tooth.
He thereafter assaulted her sexually without a condom, instructed her to dress, and transported her back to the city.
To safeguard others, the victim promptly reported the incident to the One25 Project, an organisation that assists women involved in street prostitution, shortly after the assault. This report contained a comprehensive account of the perpetrator along with his number plate information.
In an impact statement presented to the court, the victim stated: “The immediate repercussions of this crime were so traumatic that I resorted to heroin to mitigate any emotional distress; while the physical effects of the assault eventually healed, the emotional ramifications will endure indefinitely.”
“The flashbacks, panic attacks and nightmares I have continue to this day. I truly thought I was going to die that night, that kind of trauma is not easily fixed.
“There is still so much judgement and stigma around women who are trapped in the lifestyle I was, that it’s easier to let people think I’m crazy, as how do I explain what happened to me?
“For me to come forward again all these years later was the hardest decision I had to make, as I didn’t trust the police or the justice system to take me or the crime against me seriously…I didn’t realise how much emotional trauma I’d locked away about the attack.
“If it wasn’t for the empathetic, non-judgemental nature of my investigating officer, I would never have put myself through the retraumatising effects of a trial, but I am told this is also part of my healing process.
“Going to court was terrifying, especially having to face him, but I’m so glad I did as I see him not as a monster, but as a coward who preys on the most vulnerable people in society.”
Speaking afterwards, the victim added she also wanted to thank the jury for believing her and delivering a guilty verdict in this case.
Investigating officer PC Chris Quick, of Operation Bluestone, said: “Inderjit Singh Bains carried out a cruel, callous and violent attack on a vulnerable victim, leaving her with horrible injuries and a lifetime of trauma.
“When he dropped her off in the city centre following the attack, the victim memorised his number plate, which she was able to recall two decades later when she reported the incident to me. The One25 Project had also retained the report the victim made in 2002, which proved to be a key piece of evidence in the case.
“She’s had to spend the last 23 years without the justice she deserved, but her decision to come forward and report this offence is a testament to her enduring strength and courage.
“I’m so pleased she had enough faith in the police to believe she’d be listened to and to trust us to investigate this terrible crime. I truly hope this outcome will encourage other victims of sexual violence to come forward, whenever they’re ready, safe in the knowledge their voices will be heard.”
Jennifer Riley, Chief Executive Officer of One25, said: “The courage and bravery shown by this woman is truly inspiring. We are relieved and encouraged to see the perpetrator of this heinous crime being brought to justice. Street sex workers experience alarmingly high levels of violence and abuse and far too often do not receive the justice they deserve.
“At One25, we remain committed to working closely with Avon and Somerset Police to help keep women involved in street sex work safe.”
Victims of rape or sexual assault, recent or non-recent, can self-refer to The Bridge, a Sexual Assault Referral Centre available 24/7 365 days a year. Visit their website or call 0117 342 6999.
Please visit www.thisisnotanexcuse.org for details of charities and organisations who are experts in supporting victims.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.