An Afghan asylum seeker has been convicted of abducting and raping a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, following a high-profile trial at Warwick Crown Court. Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict of rape, child abduction, two counts of sexual assault, and taking an indecent video of a child.
The court heard that the incident occurred on July 22, 2025. Prosecutors stated that Mulakhil “targeted” the victim after observing her in a local park. The attack subsequently took place near a residential cul-de-sac in the Cheverel Street area of the town. Prior to the trial, Mulakhil had already changed his plea to guilty on a separate count of rape involving the same victim, though he had denied the remaining charges which were decided by the jury.
Mohammad Kabir, a co-defendant who also appeared before the court, was acquitted of all charges. Kabir, also an Afghan national, had faced allegations of intentional strangulation, attempted child abduction, and aiding and abetting rape. Throughout the proceedings, Kabir maintained that he had never touched the victim and held no sexual intentions toward her. The jury cleared him of all counts.
The case has attracted significant public interest and previously sparked protests in Nuneaton following the initial arrests. During the legal proceedings, it was revealed that Mulakhil had arrived in the United Kingdom approximately four months before the attack took place.
Following the verdict, Judge Kristina Montgomery KC remanded Mulakhil in custody. He will face sentencing at Warwick Crown Court on a date yet to be confirmed.
