Survivors 'betrayed' after rapist fled to Pakistan while on bail
Amar Ilyas, a serial rapist convicted of 20 sexual offences against five girls in Sheffield, fled to Pakistan while on bail and was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in prison in his absence. Survivors expressed deep frustration and a sense of betrayal, citing the legal system's failure to confiscate his passport despite his history of abuse. The National Crime Agency is actively working to extradite Ilyas, while the government maintains that bail restrictions are a matter for the independent judiciary.
- ▪Amar Ilyas was convicted of 20 sexual offences against five girls in Sheffield and sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in prison in his absence.
- ▪Ilyas traveled to Pakistan in July 2025 and failed to return for his trial in September, despite a court order to fly back to the UK.
- ▪Survivors stated that Ilyas was allowed to keep his passport on human rights grounds, which they described as a betrayal and an insult to the victims.
- ▪The National Crime Agency confirmed it is making every effort to ensure Ilyas is brought before the court, while noting the difficulties of extradition from Pakistan.
- ▪Ilyas's two younger brothers were also jailed for sexual offences against a victim, with sentences of 10 and 3 years respectively.
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| Publication time | Wed, 07 Oct 2026 05:10:34 GMT |
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Survivors 'betrayed' after rapist fled to Pakistan while on bailImage source, National Crime AgencyImage caption, Amar Ilyas was released on court bail before his trial, during which time he travelled to PakistanByEmma GlasbeyYorkshire home and social affairs correspondentPublished28 minutes agoThree women who were sexually abused by a serial rapist have said they feel "betrayed" and "frustrated" after their attacker fled to Pakistan while on bail.Amar Ilyas, 41, was convicted of 20 sexual offences against five girls in Sheffield and was sentenced, in his absence, to a minimum of 27 years in prison.One of his victims told the BBC she had assumed his passport would automatically be surrendered after he was charged and said she was "so disappointed in the law."The government said "decisions…
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