Sikh man in UK jailed for 5 years
Friday, 18/07/2014
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140718/punjab.htm#19
London : A 50-year-old Sikh ringleader of a gang, who kidnapped a woman in Britain and fled to India, has been sentenced by a UK court to five years in jail after he was extradited.
Kalvinder Singh Uppal had fled to India after he was linked to the abduction and sexual exploitation of the woman in the Highfields area of Leicester in East Midlands four years ago. The victim had been brought from India to the UK on the understanding that she would be working as a dancer in the entertainment industry, "Leicester Mercury" reported. But when she arrived in the UK, she was made to offer sexual services to strangers.
In July 2010, she was kidnapped at knifepoint from her house. She escaped from the gang when they dropped her at the Birmingham airport with the intention of taking her back to India. Seven men were convicted for their role in the kidnapping, but the police always believed Uppal was the ringleader.
The Leicestershire police worked with the Indian authorities and international law enforcement bodies to secure Uppal’s extradition to the UK last year. He appeared in the Leicester Crown Court last week and was jailed for five years.
Detective Inspector Tim Lindley, who led the team that brought Uppal back to this country, thanked the Indian authorities for their help. He said: “ The victim was threatened with sexual violence and death.”
