Sex offender jailed for abusing children in 1980s

Jayesh Khunti was found guilty of abusing five children in the 1980s following a trial in Leicester in May

A man has been jailed for sexually abusing five children in the 1980s.

Jayesh Khunti, of Beck Crescent in Loughborough, was found guilty of 16 counts of sexual offences following a trial at Leicester Crown Court in May.

A man and woman contacted Leicestershire Police in 2022 about the 56-year-old's abuse, which led to the discovery of three more victims - two men and a second woman.

On Friday, Khunti was sentenced to 13 years in prison and placed on the sex offender register for life.

A jury had found Khunti guilty of seven counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14, five counts of indecent assault on a boy under 14, three counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and one count of committing buggery with a boy under 16.

Police praised the victims for their bravery in providing evidence following the sentencing.

Det Con Katie Harris said: "They've continued to live their lives as victims of sexual abuse for several decades and - because Khunti continued to protest his innocence - had to relive their ordeals in front of a jury.

"However, the detail of their accounts was key in securing a conviction and ensuring that Khunti is now in prison.

"I hope this case serves as a reminder to any other victims of non-recent sexual abuse that it's never too late to tell us what happened and that offenders can be brought to justice."

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