Haziq Mahmood

Haziq Mahmood, a 22-year-old aspiring mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from Leeds, was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison after being convicted of rape and three counts of sexual activity with a child at Bradford Crown Court.

The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning when Mahmood drove his victim, a teenager, to a secluded spot in Bradford. He had contacted her via Snapchat the previous week to arrange the meeting. Prosecuting barrister Brian Russell detailed how Mahmood filmed himself committing the rape in the back of his car. The victim, in a statement read to the court, described how her life had profoundly changed, leaving her feeling anxious and stressed.

Mahmood was found guilty by a jury in February following a trial. In mitigation, barrister Andrea Parnham argued that Mahmood had deleted the video almost immediately and there was no evidence it had been shared. She highlighted positive character references portraying him as a caring, loving, and respectful young man, noting his dedication to training and fitness for his MMA ambitions, his exemplary conduct in custody, and his high academic achievements with no prior convictions.

However, Mr Recorder Ashley Serr, sentencing Mahmood, rejected claims that the victim was 16 or over, describing him as an 'older virtual stranger' and emphasising the planned nature of the offence. He stated: 'This meeting took place at 2am … and it’s clear that in your mind the purpose of the meeting was to engage in sexual activity with [the victim]. Rather than simply drive over to the complainant’s house in your own vehicle, you got your friend … to drive you in his car then drive you and her back to near your house where you picked up your car and drove the complainant alone. This showed in my view foresight and an element of planning on your part.'

The judge further noted the distressing nature of the video, which showed the victim frightened and asking Mahmood to stop. Mahmood was required to serve two-thirds of his sentence in custody, with the remainder on licence, and he must register as a sex offender for life. The case was reported by the Bradford Telegraph and Argus, with images provided by West Yorkshire Police.