Detectives are hunting a “cowardly” sex monster who vanished during his trial for attempting to rape a terrified 11-year-old girl. Evil brute Muhammad Zahid, 59, attacked the girl in his hometown of Burnley in 2021, but she bravely managed to “kick him off her”, Lancashire Police said.
But during his trial at Burnley Crown Court police said Zahid took “the cowardly choice of not staying around to face justice.” He was sentenced to nine years and six months after being convicted of attempted rape in his absence, and a bench warrant has now been issued for his arrest.
In a statement given to the court, the victim’s mother said: “Before it came out, my daughter was quiet and withdrawn – both at home and at school.
“She would stay in her room which she didn’t normally do. She then told the school, but she was fearful still. She was having nightmares and waking up at night. For this reason, she started sleeping with me.
“After disclosing it, it seemed like it had hit her again and she became further distressed. Now that she’s got justice, she’s managed to move on with her life and she’s happy.”
On Tuesday, October 7, Zahid was given a sentence totalling 10 and a half years – consisting of nine years and six months custody and a further one year on extended licence after the trial judge deemed him a “dangerous offender”.
As well as being given the custodial sentence, he was made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Lancashire Police said: “Despite forcing his victim to give evidence, Zahid went on the run halfway through the trial and is now wanted on a Bench Warrant.
“If you see Zahid call 999. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to email 536@lancashire.police.uk or call 101, quoting log 349 of 28th November 2022.”
DC Hannah Brown, from Lancashire Police: “Zahid is a dangerous individual saw an opportunity to rape a child and attempted to take it. It was only because of her bravery that he was unsuccessful in his sordid behaviour.
“I want to take this opportunity to praise the victim for the bravery she has shown, first in reporting what had happened to her and then giving evidence in court.
“Despite his denials, Zahid knew exactly what he had done and the conclusion the jury would come to. I am convinced that’s why he took the cowardly choice of not staying around to face justice and instead chose to go on the run.
“He should know that Lancashire Police will never stop looking for him and I would ask anyone with information on his whereabouts tells the authorities, so he can face justice for what he did to his child victim.”