Man convicted of raping woman as she slept

A FATHER-OF-FOUR convicted of raping a woman as she slept has been jailed for four years.

Kirpal Singh, 34, of Great Western Lane in Barton Hill, was arrested in April last year following an incident in which a 32-year-old woman was raped as she was sleeping in a bed.

On April 13 last year, the victim had gone out in Bristol with friends for dinner and drinks, Bristol Crown Court heard.

A jury was told they met some men, went back to a house and after the victim fell asleep she woke up with Singh having sex with her.

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Singh denied the charge but was convicted after a trial.

The recorder Mr Ignatius Hughes QC told him: “You have been convicted by a jury of rape. You took advantage of the condition that (the victim) was in and had sex with her when she did not and could not consent.”

Singh was told to register as a sex offender indefinitely.

Rosaleen Collins, defending, said her client was very stressed and appalled he could have been the cause of such distress to the victim, but maintained his denial of the offence.

She said he was married aged 21, had four children aged from three to 11 and had worked in the restaurant business and as a market researcher to ensure his family hadn’t wanted for anything,

Miss Collins said: “Sentences for this are always severe. He has a strong, supportive family. His home is rented so there is no agony concerning his mortgage.”

Detective Constable Clem Goodwin said: "This was a cold and calculated act committed by a man who took advantage of a woman who was in a vulnerable state.

"When she realised what was happening to her she pushed Singh off, he then assaulted her.

"The victim has shown great courage throughout this process and I would like commend her bravery in coming forward and reporting the matter to us. Her courage means a dangerous man is no longer a threat to the public.

"Singh has shown no remorse for his action throughout as a result he has been handed an four year jail term and will be ordered to sign the sex offenders register."

Anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault can report the matter to police by dialling 999 or 101, or can visit www.rapeaware.org. The site provides victims with comprehensive information about the reporting process and where to get help.

Police take rape and sexual assault extremely seriously and would always encourage victims of this crime, both present and historical to come forward and talk to them. They have dedicated officers who investigate this crime.