Ahmad Mulakhil

An Afghan national, Ahmad Mulakhil, aged 23 and of no fixed abode, has pleaded guilty to the rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. The incident occurred on 22 July 2024, and Mulakhil's admission came during a hearing at Warwick Crown Court on 21 November 2024.

Mulakhil initially denied the charge but changed his plea when rearraigned on the single count of raping a child under the age of 13. He also denied additional charges including abducting a child, three further counts of rape of a child under 13, and two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13. The court proceedings were aided by interpreters, as confirmed by Warwickshire Police, who identified both defendants as Afghan nationals.

Mulakhil appeared alongside co-defendant Mohammad Kabir, also 23 and of no fixed abode, who denies charges of attempting to take a child, aiding and abetting the rape of a child under 13, and intentional strangulation of the girl. Kabir is scheduled to stand trial on 26 January 2025. Addressing the defendants, Judge Kristina Montgomery KC stated: "You will both be produced before the court on December 12. On that occasion, there will be further directions made and the complainant witness in the case will be in attendance to be cross-examined. You should both reflect carefully on your position before that takes place." Both men were remanded into custody following the hearing.

The allegations against the two men sparked significant public reaction, leading to anti-immigration protests outside Nuneaton Town Hall on 9 August 2024. Hundreds gathered, waving St George's Cross and Union flags while chanting "stop the boats" and "we want our country back." Counter-protesters from Stand Up to Racism were outnumbered at the event near the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council offices.

Warwickshire County Council leader George Finch accused Warwickshire Police and the Home Office of covering up the defendants' immigration status, prompting Reform Party leader Nigel Farage to call for the force to release more information. This led Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe to press then-Home Secretary Yvette Cooper for guidance on public disclosures in such cases. Cooper responded that police should reveal more about suspects and that existing guidance was under review, as reported by the BBC.

The case highlights ongoing debates around immigration and public safety in the UK, with the offences investigated by Warwickshire Police. Sentencing for Mulakhil is pending further court directions on 12 December 2024.