A man, Naresh Kumar, convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage girl at a park in August of the previous year has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Naresh Kumar, 50, encountered the girl at Addison Howard Park, Kempston, on 26 August, when he apprehended her and thereafter sexually abused her in a concealed location nearby.
A couple walking their dog observed an incident and illuminated the area with a torch, prompting Naresh Kumar to release the girl, who then fled to them for assistance.
After thorough investigations utilising CCTV and telecommunication analysis, he was located and apprehended, prompting an inquiry by Bedfordshire Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People unit (PVP).
Naresh Kumar, residing on Manor Close in Kempston, was convicted of six distinct sexual crimes and received a 14-year sentence at Luton Crown Court on Friday, March 21. He will additionally be subjected to a deportation order following the completion of his sentence.
In a victim impact statement, the victim said: “I’d like to thank the police for their determination to bring this man to trial. It has given me faith in moving forward with my life, and he is no longer able to harm anyone the way he harmed me.”
Detective Inspector Rachael Foy from Bedfordshire Police’s PVP team said: “This has been a very distressing time for the victim and so I commend her for her bravery and strength in giving her evidence in court and ensuring that this predator is punished for his actions.
“Women and girls deserve to be, and feel, safe when they are out in public places, and we will always pursue justice against those who threaten that safety.”
Bedfordshire Police has a significant focus on tackling perpetrators of male violence against women and girls and is working with other organisations to support and improve women’s safety across the county.
Victims of rape and sexual assault can receive support and guidance from police and partner agencies, including the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership (BDAP), as well as support through the criminal investigation process.
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.