Jayesh Khunti

A Loughborough man, Jayesh Khunti, has been jailed following his conviction for a series of child sex abuse offences dating back to the 1980s. The case, investigated by Leicestershire Police's Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU), came to light in 2022 when two victims initially reported the historical abuses. As the investigation unfolded, three additional victims came forward, providing crucial evidence that led to Khunti's trial and subsequent sentencing at Leicester Crown Court.

Khunti, aged 56 and residing on Beck Crescent in Loughborough, was found guilty on 30 May 2025 of seven counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14 years, five counts of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14 years, three counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 years of age, and one count of committing buggery with a boy under 16 years of age. These offences involved the sexual abuse of five children during the 1980s. The victims, comprising two men and three women, demonstrated remarkable bravery in reliving their ordeals to ensure justice was served, despite Khunti's continued denial of the allegations throughout the proceedings.

On 26 September 2025, Khunti was sentenced to a total of 13 years' imprisonment and placed on the sex offender register for life. Detective Constable Katie Harris, the investigating officer from the CAIU’s non-recent team, commended the victims' courage, stating: 'First and foremost, I hope today’s outcome provides those involved in this case with a degree of closure. They’ve continued to live their lives as victims of sexual abuse for several decades and - because Khunti continued to protest his innocence - had to re-live their ordeals in front of a jury. However, the detail of their accounts was key in securing a conviction and ensuring that Khunti is now in prison.' She further emphasised the importance of reporting such crimes, adding: 'I hope this case serves as a reminder to any other victims of non-recent sexual abuse that it’s never too late to tell us what happened and that offenders can be brought to justice.'

The investigation was launched by Leicestershire Police in 2022, highlighting their commitment to addressing historical child abuse cases. This outcome underscores the ongoing efforts to hold perpetrators accountable, no matter how much time has passed since the offences occurred. The case was reported by Greatest Hits Radio East Midlands, based on details from the court proceedings and police statements.