Bedford man pleads guilty to two rapes following cold case review

A man from Bedford has pleaded guilty to raping two women, after DNA evidence matched him to offences which took place more than 20 years ago.
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Prem Chandra, formerly known as Putul Nath, 46, of St Leonard’s Avenue, Bedford, pleaded guilty at Luton Crown Court today (Tuesday) to two counts of rape in relation to offences against a 14-year-old girl on June 25, 1996, and a 26-year-old woman on July 30, 1997.

Forensic evidence recovered during both investigations did not match with any offenders at the time - but Chandra’s DNA profile, from samples taken when he was convicted for another offence in 2008, eventually led to his arrest.

The cold case review was carried out under Operation Painter - a review of undetected rapes and sexual offences between 1974 and 1999 - and marks its fifth conviction since it launched in 2016.

Operation Painter - a review of undetected rapes and sexual offencesbetween 1974 and 1999 - helped in the case against Prem ChandraOperation Painter - a review of undetected rapes and sexual offencesbetween 1974 and 1999 - helped in the case against Prem Chandra
Operation Painter - a review of undetected rapes and sexual offencesbetween 1974 and 1999 - helped in the case against Prem Chandra

Detective Inspector Emma Pitts, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, who investigated these cases, said: “Chandra’s victims have lived with the memory of their horrific ordeals for more than two decades, while their attacker evaded capture.

“He will now be brought to account for these abhorrent crimes and we must thank the victims for their bravery and their assistance in bringing these cases to court, and hope the outcome is able to provide some form of closure.

“We take such reports extremely seriously, and it is never too late to report a sexual assault.”

Chandra will be sentenced on March 9.

Victims of rape and sexual assault can receive support and guidance from Bedfordshire Police and partner agencies including the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), regardless of how long ago the offence occurred.

If you have been a victim of sexual assault, reports can be made to police on 101.

You can also contact SARC through the Emerald Centre here, email [email protected] or call 01234 897052.