An Asian origin man was sentenced to 22 years in prison for child rape offences at an east London court on Tuesday. His brother was sentenced to 15 months for possession of indecent images of children.

Vruj Patel, 26, and his brother Kishan Patel were sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court following a Metropolitan Police investigation, which is appealing for other potential victims to come forward.

Detectives said the Patels’ offending is believed to date back to 2018 and warned there may be other victim-survivors.

Detective Sergeant Rob Blant was the lead on this investigation. He said: “(Vruj) Patel is a cowardly, opportunistic offender who has preyed on vulnerable victims for his own sexual gratification.

The threat he poses to women and children has been reflected in his sentence and his future management under the terms of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements for the remainder of his life.

He added: “This is a fantastic example of a thorough and detailed investigation by Met detectives working to support victims of the most serious offending and safeguard the wider public from a dangerous offender.”

According to police, Vruj Patel pleaded guilty to rape of a child under 13, assault of a child under 13 by penetration, and four counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity in relation to one victim.

He also pleaded guilty to rape of a woman over 16 and sexual assault by penetration relating to a second victim. In addition, he was found in possession of indecent images of children and guilty of voyeurism, leading to a life-long entry on the UK’s sex offenders’ register.