Perpetrator changed his address after release from prison without telling the police and then raped sex worker at knifepoint

A known sex offender who masturbated in front of a young girl changed his address after his release from prison without notifying police and then raped a sex worker at knifepoint. Keanu Vella, 30, of Woodford Green, was sentenced to 12 years and nine months in prison plus six years’ probation at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, July 11, for rape, false imprisonment and breaching his existing reporting obligations.

Vella was previously sentenced to two years in prison at Snaresbrook Crown Court in 2021 for “performing sexual acts in front of minors,” Waltham Forest Echo reports. After Vella masturbated in front of a nine-year-old girl, the victim’s mother warned he was “dangerous” and lamented the length of his sentence compared to the trauma her daughter had likely suffered for the rest of her life.

“We don’t think the sentence is appropriate for the crime because she is so young. He got two years in prison, but think of how long this will burden the children,” she told the local newspaper at the time.

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After his release, Vella was subject to registration requirements but changed his address without informing the police. At his new address in Woodford Green, Vella, who previously lived in Chingford, arranged a visit from a sex worker to his home on 10 May 2023.

After the agreed meeting ended, Vella threatened her with a knife and raped her. A passerby called the police after finding the distraught woman outside.

Vella was arrested at the scene and charged with rape, false imprisonment and failure to comply with reporting requirements. He pleaded guilty to all three offences before his sentencing this week.

“Horrible acts”

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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