VIJESH KOORIYIL: DANGEROUS CHILD RAPIST FROM EASTBOURNE AND OXFORD ON THE RUN IN INDIA

In a case that has shocked the local communities and prompted an international manhunt, Vijesh Kooriyil, a man originally from Eastbourne, East Sussex, and residing in Oxford, is now the subject of a global search after fleeing the United Kingdom to India just days before his trial. The incident dates back to 2010 and 2011, when Kooriyil, then a 29-year-old business manager, was found guilty in his absence of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of a six-year-old boy.

According to court proceedings, Kooriyil repeatedly subjected the young boy to sexual assault within the confines of his Oxford residence. The court heard that he had lured the child into his bedroom, where he committed these acts. The abuse was carried out over a period, with the court describing how Kooriyil would sometimes call the boy to play, initially engaging in seemingly innocent activities, but then escalating to more sinister acts in his private space. It was during these private encounters, after securing the door with string and a nail, that Kooriyil committed the rapes.

Despite the severity of the allegations, Kooriyil was allowed to retain his passport under the conditions of his bail, which were unconditional due to his lack of prior cautions or convictions. This decision ultimately facilitated his escape. The court had scheduled his trial for four days ago, but he boarded a flight to Delhi on the night before, evading justice at the last moment.

Following his disappearance, Kooriyil was convicted in absentia of two counts of child rape at Oxford Crown Court. The judge, Peter Ross, sentenced him to a lengthy prison term of 18 years, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes. Judge Ross described the abuse as 'appalling' and condemned Kooriyil for degrading and humiliating his young victim. He also declared that Kooriyil posed a significant danger to the public, ordering that he serve a minimum of 12 years before being eligible for parole.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Ross detailed the manipulative tactics used by Kooriyil to gain the child's trust, including inviting him to play and engaging in activities that appeared innocent at first. However, the court revealed that the abuse was ongoing, with the assaults occurring as frequently as two to three times a week until December 2011.

The case came to light when the young victim, now older and learning about sex at school, began to understand what had happened to him. He experienced feelings of shame, anger, and confusion, and expressed suspicion towards adults, struggling to comprehend why he had been subjected to such acts.

Kooriyil was initially arrested in Scotland but was released on unconditional bail because he had no previous cautions or convictions. His passport was not confiscated, as his bail conditions did not restrict travel. He was formally summoned to attend Oxford Crown Court for trial and appeared on November 13 of the previous year to deny the charges. However, he failed to appear at his scheduled court date on Tuesday, having misled his legal representatives and fled the country. This prompted the judge to issue a warrant for his immediate arrest.

Judge Ross criticized the Crown Prosecution Service for only charging Kooriyil with two counts of rape, despite evidence suggesting that the abuse was far more extensive. He expressed frustration that the indictment was inadequate, noting that the evidence indicated the victim was raped multiple times weekly over a period until December 2011. The judge explained that if Kooriyil had been present, additional charges could have been brought against him, but in his absence, the indictment could not be amended, leaving some of the abuse unprosecuted.

Authorities are now actively pursuing Kooriyil across borders, aiming to bring him back to the UK to face justice for his crimes. The case continues to evoke outrage and concern over the handling of bail conditions that allowed such a dangerous individual to escape before trial.