PERASLINGAM NANTHVAVARAMAN PORTSLADE WIMPY RAPE CASE SHOCKS UK

In August 2020, a disturbing incident unfolded at a Wimpy restaurant located on Station Road in Portslade, involving a man named Peraslingam Nanthvavaraman. The 40-year-old, who was employed as a manager at the establishment, committed a heinous sexual assault on a young woman, whose identity remains protected by legal restrictions.

According to reports, Nanthvavaraman lured the victim into a state of intoxication by offering her alcohol. Once she was under the influence, he subjected her to a brutal rape. The assault left her with visible injuries, including bruises on her throat, legs, and arms. The severity of her condition was such that her boyfriend discovered her unconscious inside the restaurant, prompting an urgent call for medical assistance. She was subsequently rushed to the hospital for treatment.

It was later revealed that Nanthvavaraman held a managerial position at the Wimpy outlet, yet no background checks regarding his immigration status had been conducted by the franchise owner, Kapilraj Vigneswaran. This oversight became a critical issue, especially considering that Nanthvavaraman had been living in the UK illegally for over a decade. It emerged that he had originally entered the country on a visitor’s visa but had absconded from it approximately ten years prior.

At Hove Crown Court, Judge Shani Barnes addressed the court, noting that Nanthvavaraman’s asylum application had been rejected. The defendant admitted to charges of rape and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. In response, Judge Barnes sentenced him to eight years in prison, with an additional three-year extended license period. She described Nanthvavaraman as “dangerous,” emphasizing that he posed a significant risk to other women. The judge also informed him that he faces deportation back to his native Sri Lanka once his sentence concludes.

Questions were raised about how Nanthvavaraman had not been deported prior to the assault. The Home Office responded by stating that since 2010, they have removed approximately 53,000 foreign nationals who lacked legal leave to remain or refugee status. They reaffirmed their commitment to public safety, asserting that dangerous foreign criminals who commit serious crimes will be deported. Despite this, Nanthvavaraman’s case highlights potential gaps in enforcement, as he had been living illegally in the UK for many years.

He claimed to have faced persecution as a Tamil in Sri Lanka, which he cited as a reason for seeking asylum. However, it remains unclear whether he will be deported after serving his prison term, as the Home Office has not specified if he had applied for asylum after 2010 or if they were aware of his illegal status since he had absconded from his visitor visa.

Officials confirmed that a dedicated team continues to work tirelessly to locate individuals who have overstayed their visas or remain in the country illegally. Meanwhile, a separate investigation into the Wimpy restaurant in Portslade uncovered multiple issues, including the employment of two illegal immigrants. As a result, the restaurant’s alcohol license was revoked last month, and no appeal has been lodged so far.

Kapilraj Vigneswaran, the franchise owner, expressed his disbelief over the incident, stating he was away on holiday when it occurred. He explained that because Nanthvavaraman had previously worked in the kitchen, he believed there was no need to verify his immigration status. Wimpy issued a statement condemning the incident, expressing their shock and sympathies to the victim. They also acknowledged the internal investigation launched into the matter.

Wimpy emphasized that franchisees are responsible for conducting thorough employment checks for all staff, regardless of their previous employment history. The company stated that they are committed to learning from this tragic event and will enforce stricter employment verification procedures moving forward. Despite the ongoing investigation, Wimpy expressed regret that the actions of one individual led to such a traumatic experience for the young woman involved.