In September last year, Gagandeep Gulati found his victim alone in Leicester’s Jubilee Square.

He approached her and coerced her into going to Castle Gardens, where he raped and sexually assaulted her. He videoed the incident on his phone and sent clips to other people.

An investigation led by detectives from Signal – the force’s specialist rape and serious sexual violence investigation team – began.

Over the course of a week, Detective Constable Matt Smith undertook the painstaking process of trying to find the victim on CCTV. Eventually footage was found showing 20-year-old Gulati’s movements but his identity was still unknown.

When DC Smith visited the accommodation where Gulati was staying to carry out further enquiries, he immediately recognised him from the footage arrested him.

DC Smith worked solidly to review this evidence for the Crown Prosecution Service in order to negate any attempt by the defence to use the CCTV and myths and stereotypes to discredit the victim.

Gagandeep Gulati as seen on CCTV

In interview, he tried to claim that he had been sexually assaulted by the victim and that she was the one who raped him. However, he was charged with one count of rape, one count of assault by penetration, one count of sexual assault and one count of sharing an intimate film.

On Friday (28 March), following a trial at Leicester Crown Court, Gulati – formerly of Peacock Lane, Leicester – was found guilty of all offences and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment. He was also placed on the sex offender register for life.

Gagandeep Gulati

DC Smith said: “Even during cross examination Gulati tried to claim that the victim had instigated the sexual activity and tried to blame her for the offence.

“He’s shown no remorse for his actions, which was to deliberately target a young woman while she was alone for his own sexual gratification.

“The victim has shown immense bravery by reliving her ordeal through the trial and I hope this outcome will provide a sense of closure and allow her to move on with her life.”