RAJ GAREWAR AND SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN OXFORD
A woman who was subjected to repeated sexual assault by surveyor Raj Garewal has spoken out about the profound emotional and psychological trauma she endured as a result of his attacks.The victim, whose identity cannot be disclosed due to legal restrictions, recounted how Garewal’s actions left her feeling unclean, betrayed, and utterly humiliated.
Her ordeal, which took place in Buckinghamshire, involved multiple incidents of abuse during her sleep, culminating in a disturbing final assault.
The court heard that Garewal, a 57-year-old man residing on Marston Road in Oxford, targeted the woman over a period of time.
The assaults intensified from initial touches on her private parts while she was asleep to more invasive actions.
The culmination of these offenses occurred in November 2019, when Garewal attempted to force his genitals into her mouth as she lay fully clothed and intoxicated in her own bed.
According to prosecutor Tim Naik, the woman was pretending to be more intoxicated than she genuinely was in an effort to deter him from continuing.
The entire incident lasted only a few minutes, but the emotional scars inflicted by the event have had lasting effects.
In her victim personal statement, the woman described how the traumatic experiences had led her to develop severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Her account highlights the profound impact that sexual violence can have on survivors, affecting their mental health and sense of safety.
Raj Garewal, who has no prior criminal record, admitted to some of the charges at the start of the year, including sexual assault, sexual assault by penetration, and causing sexual activity without consent.
However, he denied additional allegations, including rape, which was part of the initial charges.
His case was first scheduled for a plea and trial preparation hearing on January 4 in the Crown Court.
During this hearing, Garewal admitted to certain offenses but maintained denial of others.
An initial trial was set for January 31; however, due to the court’s scheduling adjustments, the case moved more swiftly than typical for such serious allegations.
Defense counsel Jane Bickerstaff QC explained that the case advanced rapidly, facilitated by a scheduling slot that unexpectedly became available at the court.
On the day of the trial, the Crown Prosecution Service accepted Garewal’s guilty pleas to lesser charges, notably sexual assault and causing sexual activity without consent, effectively resolving the trial before it commenced.
Aside from his criminal case, it is noted that Garewal runs his own surveying business.
Following his guilty pleas, the victim reportedly contacted some of his clients to warn them about his status as a sex offender and his impending imprisonment.
Remarkably, one client chose to remain with Garewal’s firm despite the revelations.
In a sentencing hearing, Judge Catherine Tulk sentenced Garewal to three years in prison.
Additionally, she imposed a restraining order that bans him from any contact with the victim for a period of ten years.
Garewal is also mandated to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions on his whereabouts and interactions.
This case underscores the severity with which the legal system treats sexual offenses and highlights the lasting harm inflicted upon survivors.
It also raises awareness about the importance of swift justice in protecting victims and holding perpetrators accountable.
