Family Friend Found Guilty of Multiple Sexual Assaults on Minors
Subrahmaniam Sathananthan, 61, from Pembroke Close, Wembley, was found guilty on 10 counts of sexual offences at Isleworth Crown Court on Tuesday, 21 March.
Charges Against Sathananthan
- One count of indecent assault on a male (Sexual Offences Act 1956, section 15(1))
- Seven counts of indecent assault (Sexual Offences Act 1956, section 14(1))
- Two counts of indecency with a child (Indecency Act 1960, section 1(1))
Exploiting Trust to Abuse Children
On 27 April 2019, police received reports that Sathananthan had sexually assaulted two victims he knew personally — a girl and a boy aged between 9 and 13.
Both victims said Sathananthan preyed on them while exploiting his position as a trusted family friend. He was regularly invited to the girl’s home for dinners and socialising. Under the guise of needing help with documents for his business, he isolated her in her bedroom, where he sexually assaulted her.
Sathananthan tried to silence his victims, telling the girl it would be “Just between you and me” and “no-one else needs to know”. Over the years, he showered her with expensive gifts like sunglasses and perfumes to keep her quiet.
Truth Comes Out Years Later
Years after the abuse, while at university, the girl confided in her family during a Skype call. This revelation led the boy to come forward with his own horrifying experience of abuse by Sathananthan in a private family setting.
The accused was arrested on 10 May 2019 but denied the allegations.
Justice Awaited
Sathananthan is set to be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on 16 June 2023.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Smithson of the Met’s Public Protection Team said: “I commend the bravery of both victim-survivors in coming forward and reporting the assaults to us. My team and I have ensured that full support has been given to them throughout the investigation as we worked towards getting justice for them.”
“I want to reiterate that anyone who reports a sexual offence — historical or present — will be listened to and believed from the start.”
