A vape shop owner from Exeter has been jailed after sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl after she tried to shoplift from his South Devon store.
Janpal Singh, aged 27, of High Street, Exeter, pushed the girl to the back of his shop and sexually assaulted her in 2023 after she tried to leave without paying for a vape.
Singh, who owned a Fone Fix repair and vape shop in Victoria Street, Paignton, on Thursday (April 23) appeared at Plymouth Crown Court where he was jailed for six years and eight months, ordered to sign the National Sex Offender Register and served with a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Janpal Singh, aged 27, of High Street, Exeter, has been jailed for six years and eight months after sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. Photo: D&C Police.
Police praised the ‘enormous strength’ of Singh’s victim, who escaped and raised the alarm.
A Devon and Cornwall Police (D&C) spokesperson said: “The incident happened in 2023, with the victim being just 13 years old.
“She had been in Singh’s shop and attempted to take a vape without paying for it. She was then detained by Singh who pushed her towards the back of the shop behind the counter and subjected her to a sexual assault.
“The victim managed to flee the shop and reported the incident to police.”
Singh stood trial at Plymouth Crown Court in November 2025, where he denied the charge against him.
Police praised the courage of the 13-year-old girl and welcomed the jail sentence.
Detective Constable Rachael Delaney, at D&C Police, said: “Firstly I wish to praise the courage of the victim who has demonstrated enormous strength throughout.
“I sincerely hope that the outcome will encourage others to come forward to report sexual abuse and gives them the confidence to know that they will be believed and listened to.”
“It is important to note that survivors of sexual offences are protected by law and have life-long anonymity.”
