JASPAL RIAT, BIRMINGHAM KARATE INSTRUCTOR, JAILED FOR EIGHT YEARS OVER OFFENCES INVOLVING TEENAGE STUDENT AND HER TRAGIC SUICIDE

In September 2011, Jaspal Riat, a 48-year-old karate instructor from Birmingham, was sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of multiple charges related to a vulnerable 13-year-old girl. Riat had denied two counts of raping the girl, one of sexual assault, and eight charges of engaging in sexual activity with a female under 16, with the alleged incidents occurring between February 2008 and May 2009.

Gloucester Crown Court heard that Riat's 'despicable' conduct contributed to the victim, Dana Baker from Kidderminster, taking her own life at age 16. Although he was cleared of the rape charges and the final sexual activity count, he was convicted on the other eight charges.

The court was informed that later in their relationship, Riat lost interest in Dana. She told police after overdosing in May 2009 that she felt she had nothing to live for. She revealed that she had warned Riat about her suicide plan, but he did not try to intervene, saying to her, 'Thank you for sacrificing yourself for me.'

Judge Jamie Tabor QC addressed Riat at sentencing, stating: "You seduced Dana when she was only 13 years of age, not quite 14, probably starting around July or August 2008. She was a particularly vulnerable child from a vulnerable family. Despite her academic talent and skills in karate, she felt deeply lonely and had a troubled relationship with her parents, both of whom were also vulnerable."

The judge continued: "You exploited her vulnerability and identified her as a child you could manipulate for your own sexual gratification. Your actions persisted into spring 2009 and displayed a selfish, despicable attitude. I am convinced that your misconduct was at least partly responsible for her suicide attempt. You abandoned her when she needed support, showing callousness and dishonor. She was a virgin when you seduced her; nine months later, she had been exposed to nearly every form of sexual activity by you."

Dana Baker’s parents, Trevor and Patricia Baker, who attended the trial, expressed their relief outside court, saying they could now grieve properly for their daughter, who died earlier that year in March. Mrs. Baker, who is disabled, stated: "I just hope that man rots in hell. He deserves far worse than he got. Since Dana’s death, we have been falsely accused of abusing her, which has been terrible. I hope now they can see the truth. We just want to mourn in peace — she was our only child, and we loved her. We haven't been able to grieve until now because of this case."

Riat was the head of the KoshinRyu Academy of Martial Arts in Birmingham when he met Dana. At the time of her death, she was a student at Stourport High School, training for a black belt in karate, and had represented Great Britain at the 2008 WUKO World Junior Karate Championships in Italy. The court heard that Riat took her to Italy for the championships and had sex with her there.

Prosecutors revealed that their misconduct began after Riat took Dana upstairs at the karate club and kissed her, with many later offenses occurring at his home during late-night 'personal training sessions.' Following her allegations, Dana was placed in foster care before she committed suicide.

During the trial, it was disclosed that Dana had confided in a school nurse, Elizabeth Swann, about her relationship with Riat in December 2008. Riat was arrested but claimed all allegations were false, refusing to testify but maintaining his innocence in a statement.

The jury was not informed during the trial that Dana had taken her own life. Prosecutor Alan Kent QC explained the delay in the trial, saying, "We don't know the precise reasons, but Dana took her own life on March 3, 2011."

Defense lawyer David Mason QC highlighted Riat's good character and his career as a karate instructor, adding that his business was now destroyed and that he was supported by a large family who were devastated by the case.

In addition to his eight-year prison sentence, Riat was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was permanently banned from working with children.