The National Crime Agency (NCA) of United Kingdom (UK) is searching for two men convicted of raping a teenage girl who was groomed, trafficked and sexually exploited in Rotherham around 20 years ago, after both failed to appear in court for their trial.
Mudasar Hussain, 37, his brother Ghazanfar Hussain, 42, and Kamir Khan, 37, were found guilty of offences against the girl following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday. However, only Ghazanfar Hussain attended the proceedings, while the whereabouts of the other two men remain unknown.
Mudasar Hussain received convictions on 12 counts of rape, while his brother was convicted on one count of rape. Khan was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of trafficking for sexual exploitation.
All three men are due to be sentenced on Friday, with Mudasar Hussain and Khan facing sentencing in their absence.
Jurors heard that Mudasar Hussain and Khan gave the 14-year-old girl alcohol and cannabis before raping her, with Ghazanfar Hussain also raping the teenager.
The case forms part of Operation Stovewood, a National Crime Agency investigation into grooming gangs in South Yorkshire that sexually abused and exploited children between 1997 and 2013.
Philip Marshall of the NCA said that officers were working to locate the two men to ensure they serve their sentences.
“Mudasar Hussain and Kamir Khan have attempted to avoid justice, but my officers are determined to find the men, to ensure both of them serve the sentences handed down to them in due course,” he said.
Marshall added that the officers had pursued several lines of inquiry in the UK and overseas with partner agencies to trace the fugitives. He also appealed to anyone with information about their whereabouts to contact investigators, regardless of how insignificant the information might appear.
He acknowledged the victim’s continued cooperation and stated that specially trained officers remained in contact with her as the investigation continued. He also added that the NCA’s focus remained on securing justice for the victim and holding both men accountable.
Melissa Garner of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said that Mudasar Hussain and Khan groomed the girl separately using alcohol, drugs and gifts before raping her multiple times between 2008 and 2010 at different locations across Rotherham.
She said that Ghazanfar Hussain also took advantage of the teenager’s vulnerability when the opportunity arose.
“Their abuse has caused the victim serious and lifelong harm,” Garner said.
The court remanded Ghazanfar Hussain in custody ahead of his sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday. Mudasar Hussain and Khan will also face sentencing on the same day, despite remaining at large.
