Groomed with free cannabis vapes and booze
Iqbal Singh, 45, used his Phone Repairs and Vape Store in Cheam to groom a vulnerable 14-year-old schoolgirl. He handed out free cannabis vapes and alcohol to gain her trust. When she got drunk at a party and feared going home, she asked Singh if she could sleep at his shop. Instead, she woke to find him raping her.
Long history of predatory behaviour
Singh, who also goes by Tony, previously ran a vape shop in Hayes where he sexually assaulted another teenage girl in 2019. He was convicted for that assault in 2022.
The court heard Singh had a disturbing pattern of targeting young girls through his shops. Prosecutor Andrew Bousfield commented, “He has used his vape shops to attract victims and clearly preferred girls who came in looking vulnerable.”
Victim bravely confronts her abuser in court
“The impact you had on me will be forever. I can never unsee, forget or forgive what you have done, but whilst you rot in prison… I am free. You have no control over my thoughts, my feelings, my life or my future,” the victim told Singh during sentencing.
Now at university, she vowed, “I will graduate, control my future and become the person I want to be.”
Judge slams Singh’s ‘grooming and abuse’ – warns of more victims
Judge Tony Hyams-Parish handed Singh a huge 22-year sentence—14 years behind bars plus eight years on licence—calling Singh’s crimes “grooming” and confirming he is a serious danger to young girls.
Detective Sergeant Toyene Lait, leading the investigation, warned more victims may exist: “We remain concerned other survivors have not yet been identified. Anyone affected should contact police on 101.”
Family issues stark warning to parents
The victim’s mother told this paper her daughter was manipulated with “free vapes claimed to be supplier samples.” She warns parents to watch out for changes and unknown vapes in their children’s possession.
“The grooming started months after Singh took over the Cheam shop, just a year after he targeted his previous victim,” she said. “We fear there may be more victims.”
Singh’s disturbing online antics after conviction
Even after conviction, Singh liked two posts from his victim’s social media and posted: “Was going to fall in love again, then remembered the advice the judge gave me.”
Singh’s vape shops in Hayes and Cheam have since changed hands and are no longer connected to him.
If you or someone you know may be a victim, contact the police on 101.
