DHANJI PUNJA SENTENCED IN LIVERPOOL FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND KIDNAPPING
2026-06-17 22:03: Dhanji Punja forcibly pulled his victim from a street in the city center and led her into a quiet alley so he could carry out a sexual assault.The 42-year-old insistently claimed that he only intended to kiss her, but a judge did not believe his statement and determined that his real motive was to sexually assault her.
Punja targeted the solitary woman, who is unable to be named for legal reasons, as she was walking along Lord Street on July 12 of the previous year.
He seized her and dragged her toward Dorans Lane, insulting her with the phrase "f****** b****," and only released her when three security guards confronted him.
> Both Gamble and Bradbury were apprehended on October 26 after the full scope of their crimes emerged when an inappropriate image—unrelated to the child—was uploaded to Facebook.
Authorities discovered a total of 14 Category A images (the most severe, including child rape), four Category B images, and three Category C images on devices located at the men's residence on Pigot Street, many of which depicted the exploited boy.
> Both Gamble and Bradbury admitted to four counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of assault by penetration, as well as the production of indecent videos linked to each act.
Judge Smith described both men as "dangerous" offenders and sentenced each to 16 years in prison, followed by a one-year extension on license.
--------------------------- 2025-01-11 06:08: A man posed a danger to women in Liverpool after dragging a lone female victim from Lord Street into a secluded alley and attempting to sexually assault her.
Dhanji Punja, 42, claimed he only intended to kiss the woman, but the judge was unconvinced, stating he had clearly aimed to commit a sexual assault.
The incident occurred on July 12 last year when Punja, who resides on Stanley Street in Liverpool city centre, targeted the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
According to court proceedings, he forcefully grabbed her as she walked and pulled her toward Dorans Lane, directing offensive language at her.
He only released her when three security guards intervened.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Punja has prior convictions, including a sexual assault on a woman on a train and an incident involving lying on a shop floor to look up another woman's skirt.
Judge Recorder Tom Gilbart described the scene, stating: "She was out in Liverpool city centre with friends in a bar, and after leaving to head home, she was walking alone, distracted by her phone.
You appeared, seized her with both hands, and coerced her across the street into a darker, more secluded passage.
During this, you called her offensive names, with the apparent plan to commit a sexual offence." He further explained that the victim struggled and tried to escape, but was unable, clearly terrified and shocked.
Fortunately, security guards witnessed the assault and stopped Punja, who was promptly arrested by police.
Emotionally affected, the victim’s personal statement revealed her ongoing fears and the impact of the attack.
She explained she now refuses to go out alone, especially in Liverpool, and cannot face walking past the alley where the assault occurred.
She also suffers from insomnia, anxiety, and has become dependent on her mother's company, describing a loss of independence.
Punja, of Stanley Street, had four previous convictions, including a 2005 conviction for outraging public decency and a 2012 conviction for sexually touching a woman on a train.
He had also breached notification requirements imposed following past convictions.
Defence lawyer Stuart Nolan urged the court to consider Punja's guilty pleas and suggested that alcohol misuse played a significant role in his behaviour, indicating that "without alcohol misuse he appears not to be of significant risk." The lawyer highlighted that recent custody during the pandemic, remorse expressed by Punja, and some control over alcohol misuse should influence sentencing.
The prosecution’s case involved allegations of kidnapping with intent to commit a sexual offence.
The court engaged in a Newton hearing to clarify the intent behind Punja’s actions.
Judge Gilbart explained: "The crown’s case was that you kidnapped the victim intending to rape her; your position was that your intent was to kiss her." During the hearing, the victim was visibly distressed and found it difficult to watch CCTV footage of the incident.
The judge acknowledged her trauma but noted there was an intention to commit a sexual offence.
Sentencing, Judge Gilbart described the attack as "frightening and quite outrageous," emphasizing Punja’s predatory behavior and the vulnerable state of the victim, who was alone, intoxicated, and frightened.
The victim’s personal statements outlined her fear, sleep difficulties, and feelings of insecurity.
Punja was found guilty of kidnapping and kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence.
The judge remarked that although there was some mitigation due to his mental health issues and expressions of remorse, his actions were indicative of a dangerous character.
Punja was sentenced to five years in prison, with an extended two-year licence period, meaning he must serve at least two-thirds of the custodial term.
He will only be released early if the parole board deems him no longer a risk.
Additionally, he was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.
