Cardiff, June 19, 2024: According to a statement from South Wales Police, a 20-year-old student of Indian descent who was accused of raping a young woman at Cardiff City Centre while she was intoxicated last year has been given a sentence of more than six years in jail. Preet Vikal was seen holding the victim in his arms and afterward across his shoulders in the city centre in the CCTV footage taken at King Edward VII Avenue and North Road.
The statement states, “Vikal was sentenced to six years and nine months in a young offender institution. He will serve two-thirds of the sentence in custody and the remainder on a license,”
The woman was allegedly encountered by Vikal as she was out with her companions in Cardiff’s downtown. She and her pals were returning home from the Friary region when she was captured on camera being lifted by Vikal. Vikal dragged her to a home on North Road, where she was raped and subjected to sexual assault.
Source: Twitter
The 20-year-old admits that on June 4, 2022, early in the morning, the Indian-origin man raped a woman.
According to the statement, the victim spoke of being terrified, unable to sleep, and feeling guilty as a result of Vikal’s behaviour. Attacks by strangers are exceedingly uncommon in Cardiff, but Preet Vikal was a dangerous person, according to Detective Constable Nick Woodland. He took advantage of a young woman who had broken off from her pals and was inebriated and defenseless.
In addition to an Instagram message conversation with the victim, officers thoroughly searched their CCTV footage before identifying and apprehending Vikal.
Concerns about the occurrence have been expressed by a number of organizations and activists, who call for improved victim assistance programs as well as intensified efforts to spread awareness and stop such horrible crimes. The public has been reassured by local authorities that they are committed to addressing these worries and enhancing safety protocols in the city.
Following this horrific incident, a number of helplines have been established to support sexual assault survivors and advocate for women’s safety. Please contact the following helplines if you or someone you know needs assistance or wants to report a crime:
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Rape Crisis England and Wales: 0808 802 9999
Women’s Aid: 0808 2000 247
Victim Support: 0808 168 9111
While this example serves as a clear reminder of the need for caution, it’s important to remember that sexual assaults do not represent the actions of most of a community. It’s crucial to refrain from making generalizations or stigmatizing any particular group.
Category: Crime, Breaking News
