An Uber Eats delivery driver who returned to a customer’s address in Boston and raped her after a delivery has been jailed.
Jitendrakumar Prajapati, 47, of Castle Square, Wyberton West Road, Boston, appeared before Lincoln Crown Court on 27 March. He was sentenced to a five-year custodial sentence, reduced to three years and eight months after pleading guilty to rape. He was also sentenced concurrently for 18 months for sexual assault and served a deportation order.
The court heard how that Prajapati’s vulnerable victim had used the delivery service just after lunchtime on 19 January. He struck up conversation with her, stating that he’d just moved to the area and didn’t know anyone, that he needed help getting a visa and help to work. He asked for the victim’s Instagram account details, and they swapped phone numbers, playing on the good nature of the victim – to be able to keep in touch about helping him with his visa application.
He returned to the property at around 5pm the same day where they engaged in general conversation for a while before things took a sinister turn and he raped his victim.
After leaving the property, he sent a message to his victim saying, “Hey I am sorry”. He then changed his WhatsApp username and enabled ‘disappearing chat after 24 hours’. More messages were exchanged where the victim accused him of raping her. His responses were apologetic and begging her not to tell.
Thanks to the courage of this young woman, police were notified, and swift investigative work identified the vehicle that he had used to make the initial delivery, which was traced to Prajapati. He was swiftly in custody by around 9pm, having been arrested on suspicion of rape and non-fatal strangulation, a charge which was later dropped at court.
The detective investigating this case, Detective Constable Jessica McKiernan, said: “Bringing this offender to justice was made possible by the extraordinary courage shown by the victim in coming forward at the earliest opportunity. Her trust in us allowed our officers to begin swift and focused inquiries, which led to the suspect being located within hours. Her bravery has been vital in ensuring he is now held to account. We hope this outcome offers her some sense of reassurance as she moves forward on her own terms.”
No one should carry this kind of assault alone. Support is available, whether you are in immediate danger, seeking emotional help, or looking for confidential specialist services for yourself or someone you are worried about.
If you or anyone you know has been the victim of sexual assault, rape, or any other sexual offence, please report it to us as soon as possible.
Even if you’re not 100 per cent sure, we want to hear from you so that we can make sure you’re safe.
If you’re not ready to talk to the police just yet, that’s OK.
Follow this link here: Support for victims of rape and sexual assault | Lincolnshire Police (lincs.police.uk) to find out what other organisations can help and support you.
Lincolnshire Police are not responsible for sentencing. Policing is part of a broader criminal justice system, and its role is to protect the public, enforce the law, investigate crimes, gather evidence, arrest and detain suspected offenders. Police forces help build case files for court and may be involved in the court process, but do not lead on the sentences convicted offenders receive, where they go to prison, or when they are released.
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