Man is jailed for rape, false imprisonment and failure to comply with court imposed notification requirements

A registered sex offender has been jailed for more than 12 years for rape, false imprisonment and breach of his court ordered notification requirements.

Detective Constable Jessica Stephens of the Met’s East Area Public Protection Unit said: “Keanu Vella is a registered sex offender who is a clear danger to women.

“He has demonstrated that he is unable to comply with the court ordered notifications that allow him his freedom, and it is right that he will now be in a place where he no longer poses a threat to women and girls.

“I hope that the sentence handed down encourages other victims of sex offences to come forward. It is so important that these offences are reported so we can support victims and start building cases against offenders to bring them before the courts."

Keanu Vella, 30 [5.11.93] of Maldon Walk, Woodford Green appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, 11 July for sentencing:

• For failing to comply with notification requirements he was sentenced to 40 weeks' imprisonment [to run concurrently].
• For false imprisonment he was sentenced to four years' imprisonment [to run concurrently].
• For rape he was sentenced to 12 years and nine months' imprisonment with an extended licence to 18 years and nine months.
  
  He is also subject to an indefinite Registered Sex Offender notification requirement.

Vella had changed his address to a property at Maldon Walk, Woodford, without notifying his offender management officer of his new address.

While at the new address, on 10 May 2023, Vella made arrangements for a woman offering escort services to visit him at home. However, when his agreed appointment time expired, he held the victim against her will and, holding her at knife point, he raped her.

Police were called by a passer-by when the victim was found in the street outside the address in a distressed state.

Vella was arrested at the scene.

On 12 May 2023 he was charged and remanded in custody to appear in court where he pleaded guilty to failing to comply with notification requirements. He later appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 12 March 2024 where he pleaded guilty to the other offences and was remanded ahead of sentencing.

PC Emma Porter the victim’s Sexual Offence Liaison Officer, who supported the victim throughout the entire process, said: “We are grateful to the victim in this case. She has shown strength, courage and patience throughout the court process.

“Now that Vella is behind bars it is my sincere hope that she can put his abhorrent actions behind her and move forward with her life."

Anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault can report online or dial 101. In an emergency always dial 999.

Additional information is available on How to report rape and sexual assault.