Locations
Maldon Walk, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8
Description
A registered sex offender from Woodford Green has been jailed after raping a woman at knifepoint.
Keanu Vella, 30, of Maldon Walk appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on July 11 to be sentenced for rape, false imprisonment and breaching a court order.
His sentencing follows an incident on May 10, 2023, where he arranged for a woman offering escort services to visit him at his home.
When their agreed appointment time had finished, the 30-year-old was found to have held the victim against her will and raped her at knife-point.
The Metropolitan Police were alerted to the incident after a passer-by discovered the victim outside Vella's address.
The 30-year-old was arrested and police discovered the registered sex offender had changed his address to the Maldon Walk property without telling his offender management officer.
He was charged on May 12, 2023, and remanded in custody to appear in court where he later pleaded guilty to failing to comply with notification requirements.
On March 12, 2024, Vella appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court and pleaded guilty to rape and false imprisonment offences.
Det Cons Jessica Stephens, said: “Keanu Vella is a registered sex offender who is a clear danger to women.
“He has demonstrated that he is unable to comply with the court ordered notifications that allow him his freedom, and it is right that he will now be in a place where he no longer poses a threat to women and girls.
“I hope that the sentence handed down encourages other victims of sex offences to come forward."
Vella's sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court:
- For failing to comply with notification requirements he was sentenced to 40 weeks' imprisonment.
- For false imprisonment he was sentenced to four years' imprisonment.
- For rape he was sentenced to twelve years and nine months' imprisonment with an extended licence to 18 years and nine months.
He is also subject to an indefinite Registered Sex Offender notification requirement.
PC Emma Porter said: “We are grateful to the victim in this case. She has shown strength, courage and patience throughout the court process.
“Now that Vella is behind bars it is my sincere hope that she can put his abhorrent actions behind her and move forward with her life."