Sex offender convicted of historic rapes after fleeing UK

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 13:03 · Archive

Muhammed Khalid, 55, was found guilty of five counts of rape and other offences dating back over 20 years.

Muhammed Khalid, 55, from Huddersfield, was convicted at Leeds Crown Court following a week-long trial. He was found guilty of five counts of rape, sexual assault and supplying Class A drugs. The offences took place in the Kirklees area in the late 1990s and early 2000s against two teenage girls. Khalid was also found not guilty of a further eight charges, including indecent assault, rape and trafficking persons within the UK for sexual exploitation.

Khalid fled the UK in 2020 while under investigation by officers looking into historic sexual offences. After extensive efforts to trace him, police arrested him at Manchester Airport on 23 April this year as he returned to the UK. He was taken into custody and charged, appearing before magistrates in Kirklees the following day.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Davis of Kirklees District Police said: 'We welcome the jury's verdict in finding Khalid guilty of very serious offences committed against young and very vulnerable victims more than 20 years ago. He committed multiple rapes over a prolonged period against a vulnerable teenage girl, abusing her in a fashion which can only be described as appalling.' Davis added that officers remained committed to the case throughout Khalid's absence and that arrangements were swiftly put in place to detain him upon his return.

Khalid is due to be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on 24 November.

How it is being reported

• Man who fled police investigation found guilty of rapeMuhammed Khalid is found guilty of eight sex offences after being arrested at Manchester Airport.BBC Leeds And West Yorkshire · 28 Oct, 12:44
• Man who was arrested at Manchester Airport found guilty on 5 counts of rapeAfter extensive efforts to trace him, police arrested Khalid at Manchester Airport on April 23 this year as he returned to the UK.Telegraph & Argus · 27 Oct, 16:28

In this story: Muhammed Khalid · Leeds Crown Court · Kirklees · Huddersfield · Manchester Airport · West Yorkshire Police

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