Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

X Factor star Lucy Spraggan's rapist deported to India

Soby John was deported in 2017 and is not permitted to return to the UK

X Factor star Lucy Spraggan's rapist deported to India

THE hotel porter who raped X Factor star, Lucy Spraggan, was deported to India in 2017 after serving four years behind bars, the MailOnline has revealed.

The singer-songwriter was raped by Soby John after a night celebrating fellow contestant Rylan Clark's 25th birthday at the Mayfair nightclub Mahiki in 2012.


In April 2013, John, who had arrived on a student visa from India, received a 10-year prison sentence.

However, MailOnline has now uncovered that he was deported to India on January 30, 2017, having served less than four years in jail for his appalling assault.

According to the report, John is not permitted to return to the UK under deportation conditions.

"Foreign nationals who commit crimes here in the UK will face the full force of the law, including deportation at the earliest opportunity for those eligible," a Home Office spokeswoman told the newspaper, without commenting specifically on John's deportation.

John, then 24 years old, snuck into the hotel room of the 20-year-old singer while she slept, using a staff key card, and viciously attacked her.

Lucy recounted that she lost consciousness and a member of the production team escorted her back to the hotel, where a hotel porter offered assistance in getting her to the room. As they departed, the porter secured the security latch to prevent the door from locking behind them.

Later, Rylan checked on Lucy and ensured her door was properly locked before leaving. However, the porter returned afterward and attacked her, having to use a traceable keycard because the door was locked.

Following the attack, she was prescribed Pep which, if taken within the first 72 hours of having sex, can stop the spread of HIV. However, it left her feeling too ill to continue singing in the show.

The assailant was apprehended and received a 10-year prison sentence in April 2013.

During the court hearing, John's defense barrister argued that it was a "single foolish act" since he had a clean record.

Judge McCreath rejected the defense's claims, acknowledging John's relatively young age and different cultural background but firmly stating that cultural values could not condone non-consensual intercourse with a heavily intoxicated woman.

The singer appeared on BBC Breakfast recently and was overcome with emotions as she recalled X Factor boss Simon Cowell apologising to her after he learned of the attack.

"It makes me emotional because no one else said sorry. And all it took was this one man to treat me like a human being, 11 years later," Spraggan is reported to have said.

Spraggan was given financial and medical support after the horrific incident, but she said she wasn't supported after the trial.

"No one ever contacted me to ask if I was OK. No one called or emailed when the trial was over and he was convicted. No one offered me rehabilitation or ongoing mental health treatment. I was on my own," she said.

More For You

Tim Friede’s Snakebite Trials Pave Way for Universal Antivenom

Traditional antivenoms are made by injecting venom into animals

iStock

Tim Friede survives 200 snakebites to help create universal antivenom

Scientists have developed a potentially groundbreaking snake antivenom using the blood of Tim Friede, a US man who has spent nearly two decades injecting himself with venom from some of the world’s deadliest snakes. The research has led to the discovery of antibodies offering unprecedented protection against a broad range of venomous species.

Friede, a former truck mechanic, has been bitten more than 200 times and injected himself with venom over 700 times in an attempt to build immunity. His goal, initially motivated by personal safety while handling snakes, evolved into a mission to aid global snakebite victims. Each year, snakebites kill up to 140,000 people and cause permanent injury or disability in many more, particularly in developing countries.

Keep ReadingShow less
reform-uk-reuters

A Reform UK party poster is seen outside a house in Frodsham. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Reform takes control of Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, becomes largest in Leicestershire

REFORM UK has made major gains in local elections across England, taking control of county councils in Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and becoming the largest party in Leicestershire.

In Leicestershire, the Conservatives lost control of the county council, with no party securing a majority. Reform UK won 25 seats, three short of the 28 required for full control. The Conservatives have 15 seats, the Liberal Democrats 11, Labour has two, with one Green and one independent councillor.

Keep ReadingShow less
Attari-Wagah-border-reuters

Vehicles wait in a line before making their way to Pakistan at the Attari-Wagah border crossing. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

India halts Pakistan imports as tensions rise over Kashmir killings

INDIA has banned the import of goods originating from or transiting via Pakistan following the killing of 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The ban was announced by India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade and takes immediate effect. “This restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy,” the notification said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Reform

Reform UK has so far won 44 seats in Kent County Council. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Reform takes control of Kent County Council

REFORM UK has taken control of Kent County Council, ending nearly 30 years of Conservative majority rule.

The Conservatives have lost 45 of the first 59 seats declared, with 44 of those going to Reform UK. All 72 electoral divisions across the county were up for election, accounting for a total of 81 councillors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hajj pilgrims cautioned over meningitis and MERS bug

Hajj and Umrah pilgrims are required to show proof of a valid MenACWY vaccination when arriving in Saudi Arabia

iStock

Hajj pilgrims cautioned over meningitis and MERS bug

BRITAIN’s health security agency has urged pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj or Umrah to get vaccinated against meningococcal disease, following a small number of recent cases in the country linked to travel.

Between February and March, five people in England and Wales developed MenW, a type of meningococcal infection, after either visiting Saudi Arabia or having close contact with someone who had, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.

Keep ReadingShow less