Survivors 'Betrayed' After Rapist Fled to Pakistan on Bail

Three women who were victims of serial rapist Amar Ilyas have spoken out, saying they feel "betrayed" and "frustrated" after he fled to Pakistan on bail and failed to appear for his trial and sentencing.

Ilyas, 41, was convicted of 20 sexual offenses against five girls in Sheffield, with the offenses occurring between 2004 and 2007. He was sentenced in his absence to a minimum of 27 years in prison.

One victim told the BBC she had expected his passport to be surrendered upon his charging and expressed disappointment with the legal process. "He didn't take accountability. He's not getting any consequences for his actions," she stated, adding that the decision to allow him to keep his passport due to human rights felt like an insult given his lack of humanity toward his victims.

Another survivor, who was 13 when Ilyas abused her, felt "cheated" that while she faced restrictions on her freedom, her abuser was able to leave the country. She expressed doubt about his return, noting the difficulty of extradition with Pakistan.

Ilyas was arrested in 2020 and charged in 2023 as part of the National Crime Agency's (NCA) Operation Stovewood. The court heard he had previously traveled abroad while on bail but had returned to the UK. He departed for Pakistan in July 2025 and did not return for his trial in September of that year, despite a judge's order.

His two younger brothers, Kamar Ilyas, 40, and Kamran Ilyas, 39, are also serving prison sentences for sexual offenses against one victim.

Judge Peter Hampton, who sentenced the three brothers, described Amar Ilyas as having "taken the coward's route and fled" and urged law enforcement to use all means to execute the outstanding arrest warrant. It is understood that no request was made by the prosecution to forfeit Ilyas's passport during bail proceedings.

Phillip Marshall, head of Operation Stovewood for the NCA, stated that officers were conducting proactive inquiries. "Amar Ilyas tormented and brutally sexually abused vulnerable young girls and women 20 years ago, and he has callously compounded their decades of suffering by not returning to the UK for his trial or sentencing," Marshall said. He affirmed the NCA's determination to ensure Ilyas serves his prison sentence.

Lucy Duckworth from the Survivors Trust called the case "absolutely appalling" and highlighted the need for specialized courts and training within the criminal justice service for sexual violence cases. She argued that granting bail and allowing offenders to potentially flee the country undermines the justice system and fails victims and survivors.

A government spokesperson acknowledged the "horrible crimes" and stated that the government is working to "crack down on vile abusers as part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade."

The victims, who have anonymity, decided to speak to the BBC to advocate for changes preventing sex offenders from absconding. "Going forwards, I think they need to put into place that they remove the passports," one victim urged, expressing concern that such cases could deter future survivors from coming forward.