A 32-year-old man who subjected a child to a serious sexual assault in Leicester has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 11 years
Ajay Jetha, of no fixed address, appeared at Leicester Crown Court where he admitted three serious sexual offences, taking indecent photos of a child and actual bodily harm.
Jetha carried out his offences on Tuesday 13 October on land off Knighton Lane East when he attacked a young boy.
He was arrested on Friday 16 October and charged the following day.
Leicester Crown Court heard that in 2004, Jetha was jailed for nine years for kidnapping and indecently assaulting a 12-year-old boy in London.
At the time of the latest offence, Jetha was in breach of an eight-week jail sentence, suspended for two years, which had been imposed in March 2015 for failing to supply his address to the sex offenders register.
Detective Inspector Tony Yarwood, who led the investigation said: “Jetha left his home address with, it appears, the sole and deliberate intention of finding a child to attack and assault for his own gratification.
“The evidence gathered against him by a team of highly experienced and determined investigators was overwhelming, and it was the sheer weight of that evidence that I believe helped persuade him to plead guilty in court today.
“But the most significant factor in our investigation was the courage shown by the boy himself, in coming forward to report what had happened to him; and I would like to pay tribute to him and to his family for their bravery and fortitude which has been truly humbling.
“From the day of the attack, he and his family have shown immense courage and strength. It has been a harrowing experience for them, yet throughout they have never wavered and are determined to move on from this.”
Jetha pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of taking indecent photographs, nine counts of making indecent photographs and one count of possession of indecent images at previous hearings.
The parents of the victim, known as Child A said: “Finally, after making our child and our family wait all this time we are pleased that he has pleaded guilty today and spared our son the trauma of having to go through the horrific details of what happened to him all over again.”
Detective Chief Superintendent David Sandall, Head of Crime, added: “Throughout this investigation I have urged the public and media not to speculate on the details of the offence, or about the boy’s identity. I am committed to do everything we can to safeguard him and to protect his right to dignity.
“Although Jetha has admitted attacking the boy, my request to you remains the same. The boy was subjected to a serious assault and is now courageously trying to rebuild his life. We can all support him in that process by not trying to second guess further details about the case or sharing rumours on social media.
“I also recognise this incident had an impact on the whole community and want to extend my thanks to them for their support and sensitivity though out the investigation and court process.”
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