‘Predatory’ Westcotes men kidnapped woman after night out in Leicester city centre
Three predatory men kidnapped a woman[1] after a night out in Leicester city centre. The victim had believed she was getting into a taxi before the horror of what was actually happening unfolded.
The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday, January 16, last year, when the female victim was coerced into an Audi containing Ajay Doppalapudi, Vahar Manchala and Rana Yellambai who had approached her after her night out. She thought the vehicle she was getting into was a taxi, but realised this was not the case as she was driven away from the direction of her home.
The Audi stopped in a secluded area in Misterton, near the M1 at Lutterworth[2], with the victim dragged from the car. She was then allegedly assaulted by the trio.
It was some time later when the victim managed to escape, running in the direction of the M1. It was here where she attracted attention and officers arrived soon thereafter. She was taken away to a safe space and recounted the incident to police.
Investigations into the kidnapping soon found CCTV of the Audi the victim got into in the city centre. It was registered to an address in Westcotes’ Gaul Street where Doppalapudi, Manchala and Yellambai all lived and were subsequently arrested.
The three were all charged with kidnap and were found guilty following a trial last month. Doppalapudi, 27, Manchala, 24 and Yellambai, were each handed a 10-year sentence for the woman’s kidnap at Leicester Crown Court[4] on Friday (October 6).
Alongside their guilty verdicts, Doppalapudi and Yellambai were found not guilty on two counts of sexual assault on a female, as well as one count of sexual assault by penetration. The jury did not reach a verdict on a second sexual assault by penetration charge.
Manchala also faced two counts of sexual assault on a female and two counts of sexual assault by penetration. The jury was unable to reach a verdict[5] on any of these charges.
Speaking after sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Gemma Fox said: “Without doubt, the three men involved in this case were predators. They were in the city centre in the early hours that Sunday morning looking for a woman to take advantage of to fulfil their own sexual gratifications.
“I cannot commend the victim enough for her immense bravery in recounting her ordeal both to police and again in front of a jury. The account she was able to provide was vital in ensuring that we were able to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”
References
- ^ kidnapped a woman (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Lutterworth (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Man repeatedly stabbed woman in frenzied and ‘distressing’ attack – ‘I live in fear every day’ (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Leicester Crown Court (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ unable to reach a verdict (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)