Man jailed for life for rape and attempted rape in Hayes following Met investigation

A 24-year-old man has been jailed for life following a significant Met Police investigation into an attempted rape and rape of a child.

Navroop Singh, 24, (09/10/00) of Mellow Lane East, UB4 was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years for five charges, including rape, on Friday, 4 July at Isleworth Crown Court.

Singh was convicted of the attempted rape of a woman in Southall Park, Ealing on Sunday, 13 October 2024, and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, on Thursday, 8 May at Isleworth Crown Court following a four-day trial.

Singh had previously pleaded guilty to a further three offences –

• Possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence

• Rape a girl under 13

• Assault a girl under 13 by penetration

These charges relate to the rape of a child at Hayes End Park, Hillingdon on Wednesday, 23 October 2024.

An investigation was launched by police and detectives who tracked down Singh, using forensics, CCTV and witness accounts to build a file of evidence against him.

Acting Chief Superintendent Sean Lynch, who leads policing in West Area, said:

"I would like to commend the strength of the victim-survivors and their families and thank them for their unwavering bravery in reporting these awful incidents to us.

“Today’s conviction is testament to the officers’ thorough investigation, which has identified a violent sexual offender and undoubtedly prevented further harm.

“We are continuing to prioritise tackling violence against women and girls with our increased specialist teams. I hope that the community will find reassurance in our action to put this predator behind bars.”

Officers launched an investigation following reports of an attempted rape of a woman in her 20s on 13 October 2024.

Police were alerted by the victim, who, by chance, was met with two off duty officers near to the gates of the park who accompanied her to the nearest police station.

Singh had been sitting on a bench in the park during the early hours of 13 October 2024, where he waited for a potential victim to walk past. He was carrying an imitation firearm, which he had ordered and assembled, and used to threaten the victim while he attempted to rape her.

On the days following the report, officers trawled through hours of CCTV footage to try and identify an offender.

With the investigation was ongoing, a child was raped at a different park on 23 October 2024. Officers immediately made a link between the offences.

Using the increased resources which were made available, officers secured additional forensic evidence. Officers were able to trace the offender to within a few doors of his home address where they delivered leaflets to appeal for witnesses and carried out increased patrols of the area.

As a result of the officers efforts, they were able to trace the offender to within a few doors of his home address.

Singh was arrested on Sunday, 27 October.

Each of the victims have been supported by specialist officers throughout the investigation and court process.

The Met has made tackling VAWG a priority and are working to relentlessly pursue the city’s most dangerous predators who often commit other crimes. We are placing hundreds more officers into bigger teams, rolling out specialist training, transforming our own culture and trying innovative methods, including counter-terrorism tactics, to track down offenders.

Crimes of this nature can be reported online, on the telephone or in person to the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.  

If you’ve been a victim of rape or sexual assault, charities and support agencies can offer help and guidance:

• National Association for People Abused in Childhood NAPAC helpline: 0808 801 0331  

• Rape Crisis: 08085002222   

• Childline: 0800 1111  

• National Rape and Sexual Abuse Helpline 0808 802 9999    

• Survivors UK : 0203 598 3898, info@survivorsuk.org.   

• Samaritans : 116 123 jo@samaritans.org 

Breakdown of offences

• Possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence

• Possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence

• Attempt to rape a woman 16 or over

• Rape a girl under 13

• Assault a girl under 13 by penetration