Locations
Sandwell Street, Walsall, West Midlands, WS1
Description
A dangerous paedophile who sexually abused a schoolgirl and filmed sick videos of his attacks has been locked up.
Harpreet Khasria made 'disturbing' internet searches including for 'young', 'school girl' and 'putting people in a deep sleep' by giving them 'pills or chloroform'.
The 36-year-old even recorded some of his horrific sex attacks for his 'own sexual gratification'.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how one victim told police in December 2023 that she had been sexually assaulted by Khasria.
Images and videos discovered by police on Khasria's iPhone revealed he had filmed some of the abuse.
He also made recordings of a second girl, prosecutor Andrew Baker said.
Internet searches indicated Khasria had looked online for "how to behosh a person medicine" - with 'behosh' said to be a Hindi word for unconscious.
Mr Baker added: "There was a clear interest in sexual activity with children, judging by his searches."
The paedophile - who was assisted in court by a Punjabi interpreter - has no previous convictions in the UK but has overstayed his visa.
Holly Kilbey, defending, had initially asked for the sentence hearing to be adjourned for a psychiatric report.
But Judge Michael Chambers KC said any mental health issues would not 'reduce culpability' and refused the request.
Prosecutor Mr Baker also told the court there was no evidence of any psychiatric problems.
Ms Kilbey said Khasria 'is likely and will inevitably find the custodial environment incredibly difficult' due to his lack of English.
His wife suffered a miscarriage while six months pregnant in 2023, which had a 'profound impact' on Khasria.
It led to the defendant taking sleeping tablets, drinking alcohol and a decline in his mental health, Ms Kilbey said.
She added: "He regarded the whole world as an enemy and was trying to deal with these feeling of loss.
"This may have been the spark of a downward spiral."
Judge Chambers told Ms Kilbey he did not 'fully follow' how the 'tragic' miscarriage could 'explain or excuse' Khasria's offending.
Ms Kilbey went on to tell the court it was 'background information', adding: "It does not excuse it."
Khasria, of Sandwell Street, Walsall, admitted 10 counts of sexual assault and five counts of voyeurism committed between September and November 2023.
Sentencing, Judge Chambers deemed Khasria to be a dangerous offender and passed an extended sentence of 17 years.
This means that Khasria must serve at least two-thirds of a 13-year jail term and will be subject to an extended licence period of four years.