UK Sex Offender Flees to Pakistan While on Bail, Leaving Victims 'Betrayed'

Three women who were sexually abused by serial offender Amar Ilyas have criticised the UK justice system after he fled to Pakistan while on bail before his trial.

Ilyas, 41, was convicted in his absence of 20 sexual offences against five girls in Sheffield and sentenced to a minimum of 27 years in prison. He had travelled to Pakistan in July 2025 and failed to return to the UK for his trial later that year. The women, who have lifelong anonymity, said they felt deeply frustrated that Ilyas had been able to leave the country while they continued to deal with the consequences of the abuse. 

One survivor, who was 13 when she was abused, said she had expected his passport to be surrendered after he was charged and questioned why he was allowed to travel. Ilyas was arrested in 2020 and charged in 2023 as part of the National Crime Agency's Operation Stovewood, an investigation into sexual abuse in South Yorkshire. Prosecutors established that he had committed offences against girls as young as 12 between 2004 and 2007 in Sheffield's Meersbrook and Sharrow areas.

According to the BBC, Ilyas was permitted to retain his passport after appearing in court and had previously travelled overseas while on bail before returning to Britain. He later travelled to Pakistan in July 2025 and did not come back despite being ordered by a judge to return for his trial. His absence did not prevent the case from proceeding. Sheffield Crown Court ultimately convicted him and imposed a minimum 27-year prison sentence. Judge Peter Hampton described his decision to flee as taking “the coward's route” and called on law enforcement agencies to use every available means to locate him and enforce the outstanding arrest warrant.

The survivors are now calling for changes to bail procedures, particularly in cases involving serious sexual offences. One said authorities should consider removing or surrendering passports so that suspects cannot leave the country while criminal proceedings are under way. They also warned that cases such as this could discourage other victims from coming forward.

The National Crime Agency said it was continuing efforts to locate Ilyas and bring him back to face his sentence. Phillip Marshall, who leads Operation Stovewood, said Ilyas had compounded the victims' suffering by failing to return for his trial and sentencing, adding that investigators remained determined to ensure he serves his prison term.

The case has also prompted criticism from the Survivors Trust. Lucy Duckworth described the situation as “absolutely appalling” and argued that the criminal justice system needs stronger specialist support and training when dealing with sexual violence. She questioned how someone considered a serious risk to society could be granted bail without adequate safeguards against either committing further offences or escaping justice by leaving the country.

The UK government said the crimes were horrific and that its priority remained protecting vulnerable people and bringing offenders to justice. It also stressed that decisions over bail restrictions are matters for the independent judiciary. Ilyas's case has renewed debate over whether stronger restrictions should be imposed on defendants accused of serious sexual offences, particularly where there is a risk that they could leave the country before trial.