Essex man threatened escort lady with knife against her will and raped her

A registered sex offender threatened an escort with a knife against her will before raping her. Keanu Vella, 30, of Maldon Walk, Woodford Green, had changed his address and rented a property in Maldon Walk, Woodford, without informing his offender management officer of his new address. While at his new address, Vella arranged a visit to a woman offering escort services on May 10, 2023.

However, when the agreed time expired, he held the victim against her will and raped her at knifepoint. A passerby called the police when the victim was found in a distressed state on the street outside the address and 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 reporting requirements. He later appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 12 March 2024, where he pleaded guilty to the other offences and was remanded in custody pending sentencing.

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He is also subject to an indefinite reporting requirement as a sex offender. He has been in prison for more than 12 years for rape, false imprisonment and violation of court-ordered reporting requirements.

Detective Constable Jessica Stephens, of the Met’s East Area Public Protection Unit, said: “Keanu Vella is a registered sex offender who clearly poses a danger to women. He has demonstrated an inability to comply with court-ordered directions allowing him his freedom and it is right that he is now in a place where he no longer poses a danger to women and girls.”

“I hope the verdict will encourage other victims of sexual crimes to come forward. It is so important that these crimes are reported so that we can support victims and build cases against perpetrators to bring them to justice.”

PC Emma Porter, the victim’s sex offender liaison officer, who supported the victim throughout the proceedings, 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, I sincerely hope she can put his abhorrent actions behind her and move on with her life.”

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