Aland Ahmed

In 2022, Aland Ahmed, then aged 19 and residing in Highbury Vale, Nottingham, committed a violent rape against a 15-year-old girl at a flat in the city. The incident occurred when Ahmed made unwanted advances towards the teenager, who resisted his attempts. Despite her protests and physical resistance, he forcibly carried her into a bedroom, where he raped her for approximately five to ten minutes without using protection. The assault was interrupted when another person in the flat entered the room, at which point the victim was found crying hysterically.

Following the attack, DNA evidence from Ahmed was discovered in the victim's underwear, leading to his arrest and initial court appearance at the magistrates' court. However, Ahmed absconded shortly after being charged, fleeing the country and evading authorities for over 21 months. His whereabouts remain unknown, prompting Nottingham Crown Court to proceed with a trial in his absence. The jury found him guilty of a single count of rape based on the evidence presented, including a video-recorded interview with the victim and her testimony detailing the ordeal.

During the sentencing hearing on 29 January 2026, Judge Steven Coupland imposed a nine-year custodial sentence on Ahmed, noting that the delay in the case was entirely due to the defendant's actions. The judge highlighted the victim's young age and clear lack of consent, stating: "She had only turned 15 and it is plain she did not want to have sex with him as she physically resisted him." Additionally, Ahmed was placed on the sex offenders' register for life. The court specified that upon eventual arrest, he would serve two-thirds of the sentence before being eligible for release.

The victim provided a poignant impact statement, revealing the profound psychological toll of the crime. She described turning to alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism, which strained her family relationships and resulted in her moving to supported accommodation. She now suffers from complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), struggles with trust and sleep, and has endured severe emotional harm. Prosecutor Nick Corsellis KC outlined the events in court, emphasising the forceful nature of the assault and the victim's repeated attempts to fight off her attacker. This case, reported by Nottinghamshire Live and covered by courts correspondent Martin Naylor, underscores the ongoing pursuit by Nottinghamshire Police to apprehend the fugitive offender.