Bharat Gohil

A man from Luton has been convicted of serious historical child sex crimes following a trial at St Albans Crown Court. Bharat Gohil, aged 59, was arrested in 2021 by Hertfordshire Police over allegations of sexual abuse involving a young victim in the Dacorum area of Hertfordshire. The offences, which spanned from 2010 to 2017, involved a child aged between seven and 12 at the time.

Gohil faced 14 charges in total, including four counts of rape of a child under 13 and several counts of sexual assault by touching. The trial concluded on Thursday, 14 December 2023, when the jury found him guilty on all counts. He was immediately remanded into custody pending his sentencing hearing scheduled for May 2024.

Detective Sergeant Adam Haines of Hertfordshire Police commended the victim's bravery in coming forward, stating: "This investigation and the result achieved from court shows that no matter how long ago the offence took place, or what your circumstances are, these types of allegations will be investigated thoroughly and diligently." The case highlights the ongoing commitment of Hertfordshire Police to pursuing historical sexual abuse claims, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable regardless of the time elapsed since the incidents.

The offences were reported to Hertfordshire Police, who conducted a thorough investigation leading to Gohil's charging in May 2022. St Albans Crown Court served as the venue for the proceedings, underscoring the gravity of the crimes committed in the Dacorum borough.