Jail for food delivery driver who 'returned to address of customer in Boston and then raped them'; victim praised for 'extraordinary courage'
A food delivery driver who returned to the address of a customer in Boston after completing an order earlier in the day and then raped them has been jailed, according to a statement issued by Lincolnshire Police.
The force said Jitendrakumar Prajapati, 47, of Castle Square, Wyberton West Road, Boston, appeared before Lincoln Crown Court on Friday (March 27) in connection with the incident.
He received a five-year custodial sentence, reduced to three-years-and-eight-months after pleading guilty to rape.
He also received an 18-month sentence for sexual assault, to run concurrently, and served a deportation order.
Following the conclusion of the case, Lincolnshire Police provided the following summary of events:
- Prajapati’s ‘vulnerable’ victim used an online food ordering and delivery service just after lunchtime on the day of the offence.
- After his arrival, Prajapati struck up a conversation with the customer, stating that he had just moved to the area and did not know anyone, and that he needed help getting a visa and finding work.
- He asked for the customer’s Instagram account details, and they swapped phone numbers – ‘playing on the good nature of the victim’, police said – to be able to keep in touch about helping him with his visa application.
- He returned to the property at about 5pm the same day, where they engaged in general conversation for a while before things took a sinister turn and he raped his victim.
- After leaving the property, he sent a message to the woman saying ‘Hey I am sorry’. He then changed his WhatsApp username and enabled ‘disappearing chat after 24 hours’. More messages were exchanged where the victim accused him of raping her. His responses were apologetic, begging her not to tell.
- Police were notified and swift investigative work identified the vehicle that he had used to make the initial delivery, which was traced to Prajapati. He was in custody by about 9pm, having been arrested on suspicion of rape and non-fatal strangulation, a charge which was later dropped at court.
The detective investigating this case, Det Con Jessica McKiernan said: “Bringing this offender to justice was made possible by the extraordinary courage shown by the victim in coming forward at the earliest opportunity.
“Her trust in us allowed our officers to begin swift and focused inquiries, which led to the suspect being located within hours.
“Her bravery has been vital in ensuring he is now held to account. We hope this outcome offers her some sense of reassurance as she moves forward on her own terms.”
Lincolnshire Police encourages anyone who who has been victim of rape or sexual assault to report it to the force as soon as possible.
“Even if you’re not 100 per cent sure, we want to hear from you so that we can make sure you’re safe,” it says. “If you’re not ready to talk to the police just yet, that’s okay.”
To find support for victims of rape and sexual assault, visit https://tinyurl.com/lincspolicesupport
To report rape and sexual assault, visit https://tinyurl.com/lincspolicereport