Eight arrested on suspicion of assisting brothers who fled before Bradford child sex offence trial
Fayaz and Imtiaz Ahmed are both thought to have fled the country - ahead of a trial in which they were both convicted of rape
Last updated 26th Feb 2025
Eight people have been arrested in on suspicion of helping two members of a Bradford grooming gang abscond before they were sentenced.
It follows the sentencing of 45 year old Fayaz Ahmed of Bingley to seven and a half years in prison and his brother, 61 year old Imtiaz Ahmed of Keighley to nine years last month.
Both were found guilty of rape, but had fled justice before their trial.
A warrant is out for their arrest and police think the pair may have gone abroad.
They were convicted over the sexual exploitation of a vulnerable teenager during the 1990s.
Today, six men and two women between the ages of 26 and 76 have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
They were detained in Keighley, Shipley and the Nelson area of Lancashire.
Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Greenbank of Bradford District Police said:
“Our focus remains on ensuring that two serious sexual offenders are located and apprehended so that justice is served.
“Extensive enquiries remain ongoing to locate Fayaz and Imtiaz and we are working with our partners the CPS and NCA to find them.”
Anyone with information about the Ahmed's whereabouts is being urged to contact West Yorkshire Police on 101.