A man who was captured on CCTV carrying an intoxicated woman through Cardiff city centre before sexually assaulting her has been sentenced. Preet Vikal, 20, pleaded guilty to rape and has been sentenced to six years and nine months in a young offenders’ institution.
The disturbing footage shows Vikal carrying the woman in his arms and across his shoulders as he walked through the city centre. The incident occurred after Vikal met the woman while she was on a night out with her friends in Cardiff. She later became separated from her friends and was seen being carried by Vikal on CCTV along King Edward VII Avenue and North Road.
Vikal took advantage of the vulnerable state of the woman and continued to carry her to a property in the North Road area, where he committed the rape. The victim shared that she has experienced difficulties sleeping following the traumatic incident, highlighting the lasting impact of the assault.
Detective Constable Nick Woodland from South Wales Police described Vikal as a dangerous individual and emphasized the rarity of such stranger attacks in Cardiff. The police were able to identify and apprehend Vikal through an extensive review of CCTV footage.
As part of his sentence, Vikal will serve two-thirds of his term in custody and the remainder on license. The conviction and sentencing provide some measure of justice for the victim and serve as a reminder of the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.