South Yorkshire Police have launched an urgent manhunt for a convicted child sex trafficker who fled while on bail and was found guilty in his absence after failing to appear at Sheffield Crown Court — with officers warning he is believed to still be in the country and vowing not to stop until he is found.
Sharam Muhamadi, 21, was found guilty of two counts of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, relating to the abuse of girls as young as 12. He had been remanded in custody following the charges before being granted bail — a decision that allowed him to abscond before his trial date of 18 May.
Officers have been trawling CCTV footage and phone records in an attempt to track Muhamadi’s movements since his disappearance. Police believe he travelled by train to Birmingham between 16 and 18 May, with his last confirmed sighting at around 9pm on 18 May in Birmingham city centre, after which he is understood to have taken a taxi toward the Small Heath Park area. South Yorkshire Police believe he has links to the West Midlands.
Assistant Chief Constable Hayley Barnett issued a direct appeal to the public and delivered a message to Muhamadi’s victims. “Our priority has been and will continue to be securing full justice for the victims tragically involved. They have shown commendable bravery throughout our full investigation and the complex trial which followed. We are wholly focused on finding Muhamadi and ensuring he faces the consequences of his actions,” she said.
Barnett confirmed that while officers believe Muhamadi remains in the United Kingdom, they were keeping an open mind about his whereabouts. “We believe he is still in the country, but if he is found abroad, we will seek the Government’s help in doing everything we can to extradite him. We will not stop until we find him, and we will ensure these young girls get the justice they deserve.”
Anyone with information on Muhamadi’s whereabouts is asked to contact South Yorkshire Police immediately.
