MAKHAN SINGH MAUJI, a Sikh celebrant, has been sentenced to more than 24 years in prison for sexually assaulting three girls between 1983 and 1987.
Cambridge Crown Court heard that Mauji, 71, targeted girls aged eight to 14 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, including at a gurdwara.
A travelling granthi, Mauji conducted ceremonies and read the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism’s holy scripture, across gurdwaras.
Prosecutors explained that Mauji abused his position as a spiritual leader to "invade" his victims' lives. He exploited their trust at the gurdwaras and in their homes, treating them as "targets for his sexual appetite."
Mauji, who had connections to gurdwaras in Northampton, Bedford, and Milton Keynes, was charged in 2023. Initially denying 11 counts of indecent assault, one count of attempted rape, and two counts of gross indecency with a child, he changed his plea four days into the trial.
Judge Andrew Hurst described Mauji’s actions as a “significant breach of trust” that left “deep emotional scars” on his victims.
Alongside the prison sentence, Mauji was issued a sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offenders register for life.
Detective Constable Elizabeth McGrath from Hertfordshire’s non-recent child abuse investigation team commended the victims, stating: “Without them, Mauji would never have answered for his crimes. This sentence hopefully paves the way for some closure for our victims.”
A representative of the Hitchin Sikh community commented: “We commend the judge for passing a sentence to match the severity of the crimes that this opportunistic predator admitted to committing whilst in a position of trust as the local granthi some 40 years ago."
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)