A British Paedophile computer science student from India, Ratnakar Singh, staying in Middlesbrough, was sentenced to 13 years and nine months at Teesside Crown Court today (Thursday, 19 June) after being found guilty of 26 sexual offences against minors.
Ratnakar Singh, 25, from India, was pursuing a master’s degree in computer science at Teesside University when he committed his offences.
He admitted guilt to five charges of engaging in sexual communication with a minor, three charges of inciting a minor to engage in sexual activity, two charges of causing a child aged 13 to 15 to participate in non-penetrative sexual activity, one charge of penetrative sexual activity with a minor, one charge of arranging the commission of a child sexual offence, one charge of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and six charges of possessing indecent images of minors.
The Cleveland Police initiated an investigation into Singh in 2024 following a report from a worried parent, who stated that her 13-year-old daughter had experienced sexual communication online from an individual she presumed to be an adult male. Investigations directed to Singh’s student housing location in Middlesbrough.
Authorities apprehended Singh, confiscating his laptop and two mobile devices. Upon forensic examination of his electronic equipment, officers discovered his extensive online offences, including 1,914 child sexual assault movies and photographs on his mobile phones, over 900 of which were classified as the most severe category A. His laptop held an additional 285 photographs depicting the sexual assault of children, including 84 classified as the most severe category A.
A comprehensive inquiry conducted by the force’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) ensued, revealing the actual extent of his criminal activities. Authorities discovered photographs and recordings depicting Singh perpetrating sexual abuse against a 14-year-old girl in a hotel room in August 2024.
Comprehensive preparations regarding Singh’s journey to the London region to perpetrate these acts were discovered on his devices, alongside evidence of an extended period of online sexual grooming, during which Singh consistently misrepresented his age, posing as a teenager.
Officers began to piece together details his campaign of grooming with further images and videos of vulnerable children recovered from his devices, along with continuous sexual communications with a number of children
Through victim identification work, detectives were able to locate, safeguard and obtain evidential accounts from six victims.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Dave Riley of the POLIT said: “Singh subjected his victims to coercion and threats in order to fulfil his own sexual desires. He made secretive recordings of young victims without their knowledge and lied throughout his grooming campaign about his own age.
“These vulnerable children have exhibited immense bravery throughout the course of this investigation, providing the evidence and information needed to ensure that Singh was brought to justice.
“Cleveland Police has worked in closely with colleagues at South Yorkshire Police, Nottinghamshire Police, Sussex Police and The Metropolitan Police Service to ensure that the brave victims will benefit from ongoing safeguarding.
“Singh attempted to conceal his criminal activity online, using his knowledge as a master’s degree student in computer sciences.
“Throughout this investigation, Ratnakar Singh has shown no accountability for his despicable actions, and no concern for the impact his offending has had on his victims. His crimes are abhorrent, and I am pleased that he has received a substantial custodial sentence, ensuring that the courage of the victims in this case is rewarded with the comfort of knowing Singh is behind bars.”
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