INDERJIT SINGH BAINS SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL 2002 ATTACK IN BRISTOL

A man described as 'callous' has been handed down a sentence of ten and a half years in prison following a brutal assault and rape that took place over two decades ago. Inderjit Singh Bains, aged 46 and originally from Wooton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire, was convicted of carrying out a violent and prolonged attack on a vulnerable woman in Bristol. The incident occurred in 2002, when Bains approached the woman in his van in the St Werburgh's area of Bristol. The court heard that during the assault, Bains repeatedly punched her face and body, causing injuries including a broken tooth, before subjecting her to rape. The severity of the attack was underscored during the sentencing hearing at Bristol Crown Court, where Judge James Patrick described the crime as involving 'a degree of abduction' and characterized the assault as 'prolonged and persistent.' Such brutality inflicted significant and lasting emotional trauma on the victim, who was in her 50s at the time of giving evidence.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Patrick ordered that Bains serve two-thirds of his sentence in prison, with the remaining time on license. Additionally, Bains will be required to register as a sex offender, a measure intended to monitor his activities following his release. The investigation was led by PC Chris Quick, who stated, 'Bains carried out a cruel, callous and violent attack on a vulnerable victim, leaving her with horrible injuries and a lifetime of trauma.'

The victim, who was working as a prostitute at the time, recounted the events that led to her assault. She explained that Bains approached her around 01:00 GMT on 10 January 2002. After agreeing on a fee, he drove with her towards Eastgate but then diverted to a secluded area in Frenchay. She requested to be paid upfront, and Bains pretended to reach for his jacket before suddenly attacking her. Despite the trauma, she managed to memorize Bains' vehicle registration number, which proved crucial in identifying and apprehending him after she reported the incident in 2022. Her delayed reporting was due to the emotional scars she carried, but she eventually came forward to prevent others from suffering similar harm. She also reported the incident to the One25 Project, an organization that supports women working on the street.

In her impact statement, she shared that while her physical injuries healed over time, the emotional wounds persisted. She revealed that the immediate aftermath of the attack was so traumatic that she turned to heroin to numb her feelings. 'I truly thought I was going to die that night, that kind of trauma is not easily fixed,' she said. The victim also spoke about the stigma faced by women involved in sex work and expressed how difficult it was to come forward after so many years. Judge Patrick emphasized the gravity of the crime, highlighting its 'prolonged and persistent' nature and the emotional toll it exacted. Bains will serve the majority of his sentence behind bars and will be added to the sex offenders register.

PC Quick praised her bravery, stating, 'Her decision to come forward and report this offence is a testament to her enduring strength and courage.' He expressed hope that her actions would inspire other victims of sexual violence to speak out when they feel ready, contributing to ongoing efforts to combat such crimes and support survivors.