Viktor Dembovskis

In 2005, Latvian national Viktor Dembovskis committed a horrific crime in Greenford, west London, by raping and murdering 17-year-old Jeshma Raithatha as she walked home from school just days before her 18th birthday.

Dembovskis, then aged 45, lay in wait in a makeshift 'den' along a footpath and ambushed the teenager. He attacked her, subjecting her to rape before killing her. Her body was discovered eight days later in the same area. Realising he had left his keys at the scene, Dembovskis fled the country but was subsequently extradited back to the United Kingdom to face justice.

Following a trial, Dembovskis was convicted of rape and murder. He was sentenced to three life terms, ensuring he would never be eligible for release. The court described the attack as brutal and premeditated, with the judge emphasising the profound loss to Jeshma's family and community.

Dembovskis spent nearly two decades behind bars. On December 20, 2023, at the age of 63, he died at HMP Frankland in Durham. His death was one of five inmate fatalities at the prison within an eight-day period that month. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO), Adrian Usher, announced investigations into each death, stating he would examine any 'themes or any correlation among the deaths'. According to the Northern Echo, the deaths are not believed to be directly linked. An inquest into Dembovskis's death is scheduled to open in the coming weeks.

This case, reported by court and crime reporter Josh Bolton for London Now in partnership with USA Today, highlights the lasting impact of Dembovskis's actions on the Greenford community and underscores the severity of his crimes.