Questions over on-run child abuse imam from Dudley
A children's charity has questioned border controls after a Dudley imam convicted for abusing two young girls was able to flee the country before sentencing.
The NSPCC has hit out after
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The 58 year old, of Ballard Road, Netherton, was not present in court on being found guilty, claiming he was too ill to attend court.
And the following day he flew to Bangladesh – almost a month before he was sentenced in his absence to 11-and-a-half years.
Rahaman had been working at Queens Cross mosque in Cradley Heath when he committed the offences, abusing two girls aged under 10.
West Midlands Police said Rahman boarded a flight to Bangladesh on October 8. Officers had visited him at his home to ensure he complied with bail conditions.
His name was also placed on the Police National Computer, advising officers should be alerted if he attempted to flee the UK. It is unclear if officers were notified.
An NSPCC spokesman said: "Rahman used the trust and authority he commanded as an imam to abuse two vulnerable young girls.
"These girls would have gone to the mosque believing they would be safe, but instead Rahman subjected them to appalling attacks.
"Even worse, he made his victims endure the trauma of a crown court trial by denying the offences, and has now fled the country – denying them their right to see justice being done.
"Questions clearly need to be answered as to how and why he managed to leave the country after being found guilty."
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "The court did not issue any warrant for Mr Rahman to be arrested or remanded following the guilty verdict and he was due to be summonsed for sentencing this week."
He added: "The police are not responsible for border checks so we cannot comment."
