🔴 Grooming Gang Rapist Vanishes Before Trial — And He’s Still Missing

50-year-old Kasir Bashir, once a market stall trader in Rochdale, was among seven men convicted of the historic sexual exploitation of two teenage girls. But while the others stood trial, Bashir disappeared. He was tried in absentia and found guilty — but has never faced sentencing. An international manhunt is now underway.

“Conspicuous by his absence”

Bashir vanished just days before proceedings began in January at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. He had been on bail, apparently complying with strict conditions — surrendering his passport, checking in weekly at a police station, and residing at a designated address. But days before trial, he absconded, leaving behind lawyers and a defence case.

Police now admit they don’t know whether he’s still in the UK or fled abroad using false documents or assistance. If he has escaped the country, he did so illegally — without a passport and in breach of court orders.

Bashir was found guilty of two counts of rape and two counts of indecency with a child after a five-month trial that was plagued with disruptions, delays, and jury disputes.

Trial Collapsed Over Juror’s Note

The original jury was discharged after a note surfaced questioning whether Bashir had fled to Pakistan, asking about the nationalities of the defendants. The note, reportedly written by a former police officer, was deemed racially prejudiced by defence lawyers. The entire panel was dismissed, and the trial had to restart.

Even the second jury faced disruption. Two jurors were discharged mid-way through proceedings. In the final stages, jurors fell out, with one accused of refusing to engage in deliberations, making inappropriate remarks about victims, and verbally attacking other members. That juror was also dismissed, leaving a reduced panel of 10 — six women and four men — to deliver the final verdicts.

Despite the courtroom chaos, the jury ultimately convicted all seven men on a combined total of over 30 charges, including rape, indecency with a child, and assault by penetration.

Grooming & Abuse in a Dingy Flat

During the trial, jurors heard how Bashir exploited a vulnerable teenage girl in the early 2000s. He was in his mid-20s at the time and lured the victim to a dark, dirty flat in Oldham, where he repeatedly raped and degraded her.

The abuse, part of a wider grooming network operating in Rochdale, was ignored by authorities for years. Only now, after a prolonged investigation dubbed Operation Lytton, have the perpetrators been held to account — except Bashir, who remains missing.

“He thought he could escape justice”

Following the trial, Detective Chief Inspector Guy Laycock said:

“One defendant, Kasir Bashir, cowardly avoided the whole trial and thought he could escape justice. We will do all we can to find him. Time was no barrier to bringing these groomers to justice — and Bashir evading the trial will not stop us ensuring he now faces the full consequences of his actions.”

Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has written to the Ministry of Justice, questioning why Bashir was not remanded into custody, calling his disappearance “deeply alarming”.

“There are serious questions to answer. Why was a suspected serial rapist not considered a flight risk?” Waugh said. “This failure has rightly angered my constituents.”

Who Was Convicted?

The following men were all convicted and are awaiting sentencing in September:

• Mohammed Zahid, 64 – Ten counts of rape, indecency with a child, and procurement of a child for sexual purposes

• Mushtaq Ahmed – Four counts of rape, indecency with a child, and procurement of a child for sexual purposes

• Kasir Bashir, 50 – Two counts of rape, two of indecency with a child (tried in absence)

• Roheez Khan – One count of rape

• Mohammed Shahzad – Five counts of rape, one of assault by penetration

• Nisar Hussain – Two counts of rape, one of assault by penetration

• Naheem Akram – Six counts of rape, one of assault by penetration

Three of the men were remanded into custody after police intelligence suggested they were also planning to flee. They denied the allegation — but the judge refused to take the risk.

Still Wanted

Kasir Bashir, formerly of Napier Street East, Oldham, remains on GMP’s force-critical wanted list. He is considered a danger to the public. Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 quoting Operation Lytton — or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.