Keralite in UK jailed and to be deported after serving half prison term in UK for raping woman

LONDON Jan 11: A Keralite man living in the UK has been jailed for 12 years and ordered to be deported after admitting two counts of rape.

Manoj Chinthathira, 29, of Wilfred Road, Taunton, approached a woman he did not know after noticing she appeared distressed. Initially presenting himself as friendly, he bought alcohol from a nearby shop and took the woman to a secluded area of Victoria Park, where he subjected her to a prolonged sexual assault overnight between Friday 10 and Saturday 11 October 2025 between around 11pm and 5am. Police launched an appeal for information on Sunday 12 October and arrested Chinthathira later that same day.

At a hearing on 28 November 2025, Chinthathira pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and was remanded into custody. On 8 January, he was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court, sitting at Worle, to 12 years’ imprisonment for each offence, to run concurrently, after receiving credit for his guilty plea.

Judge Stephen Climie said Chinthathira would be deported after serving 50 per cent of his sentence. In court, Chinthathira expressed remorse and shame.

Police investigations established that CCTV footage captured audio of the incident, including the moment Chinthathira told the woman he was going to rape her, while she repeatedly begged him to stop. The victim, a woman in her thirties, was described as being in fear for her life during the sustained assault.

Detective Constable Amanda Johnson, the officer in the case, said: “This is a disturbing case in which a man targeted a vulnerable woman. While he initially appeared friendly, his behaviour was planned and predatory. The victim showed immense courage in supporting the investigation, which has removed a dangerous individual from our streets. I would also like to thank members of the public who assisted the victim and those who came forward with information.”

Christine Hart, senior crown advocate for the Crown Prosecution Service, praised the police investigation and the victim’s resilience. “The evidence gathered, including audio from nearby CCTV cameras, was compelling. The CPS remains committed to supporting victims and bringing offenders who commit violence against women and girls to justice,” she said.

The court heard that on October 10, the victim was shopping when the defendant, Chinthathira, approached her. The two then went to Victoria Park to “chat and listen to music”.

The victim and defendant sat on a nearby bench “drinking, laughing, and listening to music” until the early hours of the morning on October 11. CCTV footage captured the “next few hours” and what the victim was then subjected to.

Christine Hart, prosecutor in the case, said: “Some time around 2:40am, the victim told the defendant she was ‘tired’. In response, the defendant asked about going home with her, and she said she ‘wasn’t looking for a boyfriend’. At this point, the defendant became angry, threw her into the hedge, and told the victim he was going to rape her.”

The court heard that in response, the victim said: “Don’t f*****g touch me […] I don’t want to sell my body, f**k off. Use me for sex, but please don’t kill me.”

Shortly before 5am, the victim was told she could leave, and so she ran to a nearby member of the public to get his attention, the court heard. He then rang the police before passing the phone to her, and she spoke to the police call handler.

Virginia Cornwall, defending Chinthathira, told the court: “The defendant is an Indian national who has had a high degree of education. He came to the UK as a student on a visa in 2022.

“He has a BA in business administration and a post-graduate degree in international management. He has been based in Taunton for a number of years while studying. He now works in care and has been supported with his VISA by healthcare providers.”

Sentencing, His Honour Judge Stephen Climie said: “[The victim] was upset (…). That upset was visible, and in particular, visible to you.

“On any basis, it must have been apparent to you that she was vulnerable. It seems to me that one of the questions I had to consider pre-sentencing is ‘What was your intention when you began to engage with this vulnerable young woman?’

“You made it clear to her that you were going to rape her.

“She was primarily concerned to survive […] she was undoubtedly fearing for her life.

“You had planned to engage in the first instance in sexual activity. In my judgement, the location of the events, you have encouraged her to go to somewhere more secluded.”

Judge Climie sentenced Chinthathira to 12 years in prison for each count, to run concurrently.

He added: “It is possible that you will be deported as a result of this sentence.”