HITENDRA DESAI SHOCKS MAIDSTONE WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT AT NEWSLINE NEWSAGENTS
In November 2014, a disturbing incident unfolded at the Newsline newsagents located on Week Street in Maidstone, where a shop owner named Hitendra Desai engaged in a series of inappropriate and sexually aggressive acts towards a teenage girl.The incident drew significant attention due to the nature of the offences and the subsequent legal proceedings.
According to reports, Desai, a 56-year-old man and a married father, subjected the young victim to repeated groping within his shop premises.
The girl, whose age was implied to be under 18, was subjected to unwarranted physical contact that left her distressed and shaken.
During the confrontation, Desai made a highly provocative and disturbing remark, asking her, “What would you do if I raped you?” This comment underscored the severity of his misconduct and his blatant disregard for boundaries.
Legal proceedings revealed that Desai admitted to three counts of sexual assault.
Despite his admission, he was not sentenced to immediate imprisonment.
Instead, he received a sentence of 14 months’ imprisonment, which was suspended for two years.
As part of his sentence, he was also placed under supervision and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
This leniency sparked debate about the adequacy of the punishment for such serious offences.
Prosecutor Trevor Wright provided details of the case, stating that Desai made provocative comments to the victim, including the remark about rape, which caused her to leave the shop and refuse to return.
When law enforcement officers arrested him, Desai initially denied any inappropriate physical contact.
However, the evidence from CCTV footage from within the shop clearly contradicted his denial, showing the inappropriate behaviour.
During questioning, Desai claimed that he was not attracted to young females and insisted that the incident was a one-time mistake.
He expressed remorse, stating that such behaviour would not happen again and that he believed the girl to be over 18, a claim that was not substantiated and was contested by the evidence.
Mark Hunson, representing Desai, argued that his client believed the girl was of legal age, which he claimed was a mitigating factor.
Nonetheless, the court decided that Desai’s actions warranted inclusion on the sex offenders’ register, reflecting the seriousness of his offences and the need for ongoing monitoring.
This case highlights the importance of safeguarding young individuals and the legal system’s response to sexual misconduct in public spaces, especially in local communities like Maidstone, where such incidents can deeply impact public trust and safety.
