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Hounslow man jailed for sexually assaulting girl known to him

THE Isleworth Crown Court in London has sentenced an Indian man to three and a half years in prison for sexually assaulting a young girl.

Nikunjkumar Vaidh, 36, from Prince Regent Road, Hounslow, was on Monday (16) found guilty of two counts of molesting a child under 13 years, after a trial at the same court in December last year.


The court was told that Vaidh had sexually touched the girl—who was known to him—on two occasions, at her home in west London.

“Nikunjkumar Vaidh is an opportunistic abuser who took advantage of situations where he had won the confidence of others, and used them to carry out two sexual assaults on a young girl,” said Emma Rogers, from the Metropolitan Police West Area Safeguarding Team, who led the investigation.

On both occasions, Vaidh targeted the girl in the absence of other adults.

After the second assault, he told the girl that what had happened was “top secret”, and she couldn't tell anyone about it.

The girl, however, confided in her mother, who immediately confronted Vaidh and informed the police.

When arrested and questioned, Vaidh had denied the allegations and accused the girl of making up the claims.

Said Rogers: “I would like to pay tribute to the bravery of the girl and her family who had the confidence to speak to the police and support this investigation to its conclusion.”

The girl received specialist counselling and support by specially trained officers throughout the investigation, the Met Police said.

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London tourist levy

The capital recorded 89 m overnight stays in 2024

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London to introduce tourist levy that could raise £240 million a year

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Highlights

  • Government expected to give London powers to bring in a tourist levy on overnight stays.
  • GLA study says a £1 fee could raise £91m, a 5 per cent charge could generate £240m annually.
  • Research suggests London would not see a major fall in visitor numbers if levy introduced.
The mayor of London has welcomed reports that he will soon be allowed to introduce a tourist levy on overnight visitors, with new analysis outlining how a charge could work in the capital.
Early estimates suggest a London levy could raise as much as £240 m every year. The capital recorded 89 m overnight stays in 2024.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give Sadiq Khan and other English city leaders the power to impose such a levy through the upcoming English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. London currently cannot set its own tourist tax, making England the only G7 nation where national government blocks local authorities from doing so.

A spokesperson for the mayor said City Hall supported the idea in principle, adding “The Mayor has been clear that a modest tourist levy, similar to other international cities, would boost our economy, deliver growth and help cement London’s reputation as a global tourism and business destination.”

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