Who is Ahmed Al-Mulahir? Afghan asylum seeker who kidnapped and raped 12-year-old girl jailed for 15 years in UK

Afghan asylum seeker Ahmad Mulakhil (23) has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for kidnapping, raping and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, Reuters reported. Sentencing following a trial, Warwick Crown Court found him guilty of a number of serious offenses including child rape, kidnapping, sexual assault and recording indecent videos of his victims.Mulakhil also admitted a separate charge of rape of a child under 13 before his trial. Mohammad Kabir, a co-defendant in the case, was acquitted.

Who is Ahmed Al-Mulahir?

Mulakil, an Afghan national, arrived in the UK on a small boat four months before the crimes. He was seeking asylum at the time of the incident.In sentencing the defendant, Judge Christine Montgomery KC highlighted the profound and lasting impact the crime had on the young victim. She noted that the girl continued to suffer severe psychological trauma and medical complications.The court heard the victim was left alone in the park after the attack and was distressed and frightened, constantly looking over her shoulder fearing her attacker might return.

Targeted attacks and evidence

The judge said Mulakil deliberately targeted the victim after meeting her earlier on the day of the incident in July last year. Surveillance video shown in court showed him asking the girl her age.Although the victim claimed she was 19, the judge said this was a “clear lie” and made it clear the jury had no doubt Mulakhil knew she was underage.

Arriving in the UK

Mulakil arrived in the UK on a small boat four months before the crime. As well as his 15 years in prison, he was given an extra 12 months on his driving license and now faces automatic deportation after serving his sentence.He reportedly showed no apparent emotion during the hearing and listened through an interpreter as the sentence was handed down.The case sparked protests in Nuneaton and sparked debate around asylum seekers in the UK.