A former mayor of Bracknell and her son have been jailed after she attempted to obstruct police investigating his rape of a teenage girl.
Naheed Ejaz, 61, who served as Bracknell Forest Council’s first Muslim mayor in 2023 before stepping down as a Labour councillor in October 2024, was sentenced to three years in prison. Her son, Diwan Khan, 41, was jailed for 12 years.
The pair were sentenced at Winchester Crown Court following a six-day trial.
Khan was found guilty of raping a 15-year-old girl in his car in the Fleet/Farnborough area in July 2024. The court heard he had supplied the girl with vodka laced with MDMA before assaulting her while she was unconscious. He also filmed the attack.
The incident was reported to police by a third party on 10 September. Officers attended Khan’s home in Bracknell on 12 September to arrest him.
Jurors were told Ejaz delayed officers at the door for around two minutes, during which time she spoke to her son in Urdu. Body-worn footage later captured a conversation about hiding an item.
Prosecutors said Khan used that time to destroy a mobile phone believed to contain key evidence. Despite multiple searches, the device was never recovered.
Ejaz was found guilty of perverting the course of justice. Khan had also admitted the same offence in addition to the rape charge.
Khan must serve at least eight years before being considered for parole. He will remain on the sex offenders register for life, is subject to a 20-year sexual harm prevention order, and has been barred indefinitely from working or volunteering with children.
Ejaz will serve a minimum of 16 months before being eligible for release.
Before attending court, Ejaz recorded a video claiming her prosecution was influenced by her Pakistani background and former public role. The case proceeded on the evidence presented during the trial.
Following sentencing, Detective Constable Lee Clement said the victim had shown “considerable bravery” throughout the investigation.
“This attack continues to have a significant impact on her mental health,” he said. “Khan targeted a vulnerable teenage girl and then, along with his mother, attempted to hinder our investigation by destroying evidence.”
He added that the outcome should give confidence to other victims to come forward.
Anyone affected by sexual assault can contact police on 101 or seek support from specialist services.
