SURINDER BLAH'S DECADES OF ABUSE IN LEAMINGTON AND LEAMINGTON SPA LEAD TO 31-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE

A man with a disturbing history of sexual offenses spanning over five decades, Surinder Blah, is set to spend the remainder of his life behind bars following a series of brave disclosures from his victims. The 72-year-old offender’s criminal activities, which began in the 1960s, came to light after concerns were raised by a man who recognized troubling behavior from that era.

These concerns specifically related to Blah’s time living in Leamington, Warwickshire, prompting Warwickshire Police to take charge of the investigation. During a police interview, Blah, who currently resides on Orchard Way in Uxbridge, vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing them as a ‘malicious allegation’. However, subsequent revelations from additional victims painted a far more disturbing picture.

Two more individuals came forward, including a woman who revealed that Blah had begun abusing her when she was just seven years old. She recounted how the abuse persisted over the years, continuing into her adulthood. Another woman, who was abused by Blah between the ages of 11 and 17, also provided crucial testimony. Although she was living abroad at the time, she assisted detectives by submitting an online statement and later traveled to the UK to participate in an in-person interview.

Blah was arrested in July 2021 at his residence in Uxbridge. During the arrest, officers seized digital devices, which were later found to contain extreme pornography and indecent images of children. Despite the evidence, Blah maintained his innocence during police interviews, denying all allegations.

Following a thorough investigation, Blah faced multiple charges, including three counts of having sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, eight counts of indecent assault, six counts of rape, and one count of making indecent photographs of children. These charges reflected the severity and breadth of his offenses against the victims and the material found on his devices.

On Monday, October 21, 2024, Warwick Crown Court sentenced Blah to a prison term of 31 years. Additionally, he has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register, a designation that will remain in effect for the rest of his life. The case was led by Detective Sergeant Nicola Norris, who expressed her gratitude to the survivors for their courage and resilience in coming forward.

DS Norris emphasized the importance of the victims’ bravery, stating, “Some of you reading this may be survivors of abuse that happened many years ago. I hope seeing this case gives you the strength you need to contact us so we can help you and hold your abuser to account. We are here for you and we want to get justice on your behalf.”

She also issued a stern warning to potential offenders, saying, “There’s a good chance that one day you’ll get a knock at the door and it’ll be us. We will do everything in our power to hold you to account.”

Detective Chief Inspector Martyn Kendall highlighted the complexity of the case, noting that Blah’s extensive offending history made the investigation particularly challenging. He praised DS Norris and her colleagues for their relentless efforts in securing convictions and supporting the victims throughout the lengthy process, exemplifying Warwickshire Police’s commitment to justice and victim support.