Luton paedophile sentenced
Bharat Gohil from Rodeheath in Luton is starting a 20 year prison sentence for offences between 2010 and 2017 in Dacorum in Hertfordshire, when the victim was under the age of 12
Last updated 8th Oct 2024
A 59 year-old man was sentenced yesterday (Monday 7 October), after being found guilty of sexual offences against a child, following an earlier trial at St Albans Crown Court in December 2023.
Bharat Gohil from Rodeheath in Luton was arrested in September 2021 after historical allegations of sexual abuse and child abuse were made against him.
Following a lengthy investigation, Gohil was eventually charged with 14 offences in May 2022, including four counts of rape of a child under 13 and numerous counts of sexual assault by touching. The offences occurred between 2010 and 2017 in Dacorum in Hertfordshire, when the victim was under the age of 12.
He was also charged with offences of child cruelty in relation to a second victim, which occurred between May 2004 and January 2017.
Gohil appeared in front of Judge Sheridan at Aylesbury Crown Court where he was sentenced to 20 years in prison, is the subject of three restraining orders, an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Adam Haines said: “We are pleased that Gohil has received this heavy sentence for such serious offences, and that justice has been served for his victims. The impact of his offending was far reaching, and this sentence rightly reflects the harm caused by him.
“I hope this serves as an example that sexual offences and offences against the most vulnerable in society are treated with the appropriate care and attention across the criminal justice system. These victims were brave enough to come forward about what happened and because of this, a dangerous offender has been imprisoned.
“I would encourage anyone who has been the victim of crime to report it to the police so that you can get the support you need from specialist officers and other partners.”
Sentencing Gohil, Judge Sheridan described him as a ‘monster’ who ‘enjoyed the terror that he instilled’.
Anybody affected by this story can contact specialist officers online here, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room via an online webchat here or call the non-emergency number 101.
You can also report these matters to the Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) through the NHS who can provide support from medical practitioners and support workers.