A Hastings businessman has been jailed for more than 14 years after being found guilty of drugging and raping two migrant workers.
Parminder Singh, 46, was today sentenced in the Napier District Court to 14 years and two months in prison for rape and unlawful sexual connection. He was sentenced to a further two years in prison for migrant exploitation and three years’ imprisonment for stupefying, to be served concurrently.
Singh was the director and shareholder of Work Force J & B Ltd, a company which sourced and provided labour to the horticultural sector in the Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne and Manawatū regions.
A joint investigation between police and Immigration New Zealand, Operation Wentworth, was launched after a victim came forward to the government agency with concerns about migrant exploitation.
“This outcome shows the tireless work of investigators and determination of both teams to hold Mr Singh accountable for his actions,” Immigration NZ’s national manager immigration investigations, Jason Perry, said.
Police and INZ acknowledged the courage of those who provided information during the investigation.
Anyone who may have been a victim of exploitation or any criminal offending has been urged to report it to police or Immigration NZ, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
