Man who raped woman at knifepoint in Woodford sentenced to 12 years in prison

A man has been sentenced to over 12 years in prison after wrongfully imprisoning and raping a woman in Woodford, north London.

Keanu Vella, 30, a registered sex offender, had failed to report his change of address to authorities. On May 10, 2023, he invited a female companion to his home.

After the agreed time, Vella held the woman against her will and raped her at knifepoint.

He was arrested after a member of the public found the victim in a distressed state. Vella pleaded guilty in two separate hearings to failure to report and other sexual offenses.

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

“He has demonstrated that he is unable to comply with the court orders allowing his release 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.”

Vella was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday.

For failure to comply with the reporting requirement, he was sentenced to 40 weeks in prison (to be served concurrently). For false imprisonment, he was sentenced to four years in prison (to be served concurrently). For rape, he was sentenced to 12 years and nine months in prison, suspended for 18 years and nine months.

PC Emma Porter, the Sexual Offences Victim Liaison Officer, who supported the victim throughout the trial, 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 heinous actions behind her and move on with her life.”