"He then sought to evade the law"
A man who fled the UK after being charged with sexually abusing a child has been convicted after being extradited from Bulgaria.
The CPS prosecuted Shahid Hussain as part of Operation Stovewood, a major investigation into non-familial child sexual abuse and exploitation which took place in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.
Hussain was found guilty of one count of indecent assault after a trial at Sheffield Crown Court on July 30, 2024.
The charge relates to an incident in 2003 when the girl was 14 years old.
Hussain drove the victim down a road and parked.
He told her to get out of the car and led her away from the vehicle. He then began to ask her to engage in sexual acts.
The victim said no, but Hussain grabbed her, pushed her to the ground and forced her to perform a sexual act.
Hussain was charged in connection with this incident in July 2018 but failed to appear in court. The defendant left the country, so the CPS obtained a European Arrest Warrant.
Hussain was stopped and arrested in Bulgaria in November 2023 and, as a result of collaborative work between the CPS, National Crime Agency (NCA) and Bulgarian authorities, he was extradited back to the UK to face the charge.
Martin McRobb, Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS, said:
“Shahid Hussain targeted a child and subjected her to a horrendous sexual assault. He then sought to evade the law by leaving the country.
“I hope this conviction sends a clear message: sex offenders who flee abroad will not escape justice.
“We will continue to work collaboratively with international partners to ensure perpetrators are returned to face the full force of the law.
“Child sexual abuse causes serious and traumatic consequences.”
“I would like to commend the victim in this case for her courage to come forward to tell the court about what happened to her. It is because of her evidence that we were able to build a strong case.”
NCA Senior Investigating Officer, Stuart Cobb, said:
“Hussain carried out a vile attack on a vulnerable young girl and when he knew he was going to be held to account, he took the coward’s route by going on the run.
“We have always been determined to put Hussain before the courts. Finally, 21 years after carrying out his crime, he has faced justice.
“The effects of child sexual abuse are deep and long-lasting but I hope that Hussain’s conviction provides the victim with a degree of closure.”
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