Sunderland rapist who targeted young girls sees sentence extended on appeal
A Sunderland rapist who raped two young girls has had his sentence extended at the Court of Appeal in London.
Taranvir Galsinh pleaded guilty to the rape of a girl aged 13 to 15, two counts of rape under 13, intentional strangulation, three counts of paying for sexual services of a girl, sexual assault of a child, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child and assault by penetration of a child.
He was sentenced in December last year (2025) to 12 years and three months in prison.
Galsinh took a 14-year-old girl to a hotel where he raped her, sexually assaulted her, and paid her for having sex with him.
He sexually assaulted her in a car several times and on one occasion tried to strangle her.
Galsinh, of Sunderland, also raped a second girl who was 12 years old at the time and forced her to engage in sexual activity in his vehicle. He also paid her.
Unhappy with the initial sentence, detectives from Durham Constabulary and prosecutors took his case to the Court of Appeal where Galsinh’s sentence was extended to 18 years with one additional year on extended licence.
The Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and lifetime restraining orders against both girls imposed at the original sentencing hearing remain in place.
Detective Constable Hanna Liddle, of Durham Constabulary, said: “The consequences of Galsinh’s actions will outlast any sentence, but having seen the impact of what he has done we believed the sentence should be longer.
“He subjected the girls to an horrendous ordeal and continues to show no remorse for what he has done.
“The girls have been incredibly brave throughout this whole process, and we hope this extension to the sentence will help them as they try to find a way forward with their lives.”
To report a rape or sexual assault, call Durham Constabulary or Northumbria Police on 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.
The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre provides free, confidential healthcare and compassionate support to people who have experienced rape or sexual assault.
Call 0330 223 0099 for support or visit their website.