'I will not let what happened define me': Woman speaks out after man jailed for sex assault

I will not let what happened to me define who I am. It is a part of my story, but not the end of it. I choose to keep fighting, to love more, and to rebuild the parts of myself that were broken.

A man has been sentenced to eight years in prison in his absence for sexually assaulting a woman in Colchester thanks to the work of detectives who tracked him down just hours after the incident.

Arjun Rajan, of Affleck Road in Colchester, was seen on city centre CCTV from about 12.30am on 24 July 2022 having driven there alone and parked in High Street, then walking to Head Street.

After 30 minutes, the 33-year-old saw the victim as she walked to get a taxi home. He continued to watch and follow her as she walked to the High Street before offering her a lift.

Believing he was a taxi driver the woman got into the car and Rajan drove away towards her home address, but he sexually assaulted her in the car before they arrived.

The woman told him to stop the car, and she walked the remaining journey home where she then disclosed what had happened and the police were alerted.

Our officers quickly identified Rajan and arrested him the same day.

He was later charged with sexual assault and first appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on 14 July 2023, but subsequently left the country. A warrant for his arrest has been issued.

On Tuesday 7 October 2025 a jury found him guilty of the sexual assault in his absence and on December 4 he was sentenced to eight years in prison, as well as being added to the sex offenders’ register for life and being given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

In her victim personal statement shared in court, the woman in this case said:

After the assault, I shut myself away from the world. I was too afraid to leave my house, terrified that he might find me or approach me it.
I kept what happened a secret from most people in my life.
For over three years, this has weighed on me and my family.
But I can say this: I fought through fear, shame, and heartbreak not because I wanted to, but because I had to for my daughter, for my family, and for every survivor who feels voiceless.
I will not let what happened to me define who I am. It is a part of my story, but not the end of it. I choose to keep fighting, to love more, and to rebuild the parts of myself that were broken.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Jade Lawton said:

The woman in this case has continued to show remarkable strength as this case reached its conclusion.
She has supported our work consistently since this began more than three years ago, and I cannot thank her enough for that commitment.
Every interview, appointment and court hearing requires courage on her part and she has faced them all as well as delays to this trial, made longer after Rajan fled the country.
Despite the distress this caused she waited months longer to give evidence in court with dignity and help secure this conviction.
Rajan took advantage of a vulnerable woman alone after an evening in Colchester.
He had the opportunity at every stage of this offence to leave this woman alone or to go home and he never took this. He deceived her, assaulted her, and the judge was left with no choice but to impose a lengthy custodial sentence.
Our work with law enforcement partners internationally is ongoing and we remain committed to ensuring Rajan faces justice.

Synergy Essex offers free, confidential help to anyone in Essex affected by rape, sexual abuse, or sexual violence - whether it happened recently or in the past.

It’s made up of three expert services:

• Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse
• Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service
• Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis

You don’t need to report anything to the police to get support. You can contact Synergy Essex directly, or ask someone you trust, like a friend, family member or professional, to refer you.

Support is available for all ages and includes:

• Counselling (in person, online or by phone).
• Emotional and practical help.
• Guidance from Independent Sexual Violence Advisers if you choose to report the crime.

Their First Contact team can talk you through your options and help you get started.

Find out more on the Synergy Essex website.