A delivery driver who exploited a food order to target a vulnerable woman before returning to her home and raping her has been imprisoned and served with a deportation order following his conviction.
Lincoln Crown Court sentenced Jitendrakumar Prajapati, 47, to three years and eight months imprisonment on 27 March after he pleaded guilty to rape, with an additional concurrent 18-month term for sexual assault.
The Boston resident had initially received a five-year custodial sentence, reduced following his guilty plea. Authorities also issued a deportation order against the convicted offender.
Detective Constable Jessica McKiernan, who investigated the case, praised the victim’s “extraordinary courage” in reporting the attack immediately, enabling officers to locate and arrest Prajapati within hours of the allegation being made.
“Her trust in us allowed our officers to begin swift and focused inquiries, which led to the suspect being located within hours,” DC McKiernan stated. “Her bravery has been vital in ensuring he is now held to account.”
The attack occurred in Boston, Lincolnshire, after Prajapati delivered lunch to the woman’s address and initiated conversation whilst completing the order. The delivery driver claimed he had recently relocated to the area and lacked local connections, before requesting assistance obtaining a visa and employment.
He subsequently asked for the victim’s Instagram details and exchanged telephone numbers under the pretext of maintaining contact for legitimate purposes. Prajapati departed the property before returning around 5pm the same day.
The pair engaged in further conversation before the delivery driver subjected the woman to a sexual assault. Following the attack, Prajapati sent a message stating “Hey I am sorry” before modifying his WhatsApp username and activating the platform’s disappearing chat function in an apparent attempt to conceal evidence.
Text exchanges continued during subsequent hours, with the victim directly accusing him of sexual assault. Prajapati responded with apologies whilst desperately pleading with her not to involve police.
The woman reported the incident to authorities, who traced the vehicle used for the initial food delivery. Prajapati, of Castle Square, Wyberton West Road, Boston, was taken into custody the same day and arrested on suspicion of rape and non-fatal strangulation.
The strangulation charge was subsequently dropped during court proceedings.
DC McKiernan concluded: “We hope this outcome offers her some sense of reassurance as she moves forward on her own terms.”
