Muhamed Sheikh Avais

Muhamed Sheikh Avais, originally from Stoke-on-Trent and now aged 50 with no fixed abode, has been jailed for 20 years following his conviction on 19 counts of rape and sexual assault against a young girl. The trial took place at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, where Avais was convicted in his absence after he fled to Pakistan on the eve of the proceedings in August 2015.

The offences, which involved serious sexual abuse against a vulnerable young victim, spanned a period that highlighted the long-term nature of the exploitation. Staffordshire Police led the investigation, and their image of Avais was released in connection with the case. Despite his attempt to evade justice by leaving the country, the court proceeded with the trial, ensuring that the perpetrator faced consequences for his actions.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Avais was banned from being alone with girls under 16 and placed on the sex offenders register for life. This ruling underscores the severity of child sex offences and the judicial system's commitment to protecting minors, even when offenders attempt to abscond. The conviction was reported by BBC News on 3 February 2017, bringing closure to a case that had lingered due to the defendant's flight.