A Huddersfield man who fled the country while being investigated for historic sexual offences has been convicted of repeatedly raping a vulnerable teenage girl more than two decades ago.
Muhammed Khalid, 55, was found guilty of eight offences at Leeds Crown Court following a seven-day trial, bringing a lengthy investigation into serious sexual abuse committed in Kirklees between 2003 and 2006 closer to its conclusion.
The convictions include five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against a girl who was a teenager at the time of the offending.
Khalid was also found guilty of two offences of supplying Class A drugs to a second victim in 2005.
He is due to be sentenced on 24 November.
Khalid left the UK in 2020 while detectives were investigating allegations of sexual offending as part of a wider inquiry into abuse committed in Kirklees during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Despite his departure, officers continued efforts to trace him and bring him before the courts.
Their enquiries eventually led to his arrest at Manchester Airport on 23 April 2026, when he arrived back in Britain with his luggage.
Police had made arrangements with partner agencies to detain him on his return.
Khalid was taken into custody and charged before appearing before magistrates in Kirklees the following day.
He subsequently stood trial at Leeds Crown Court, where a jury found him guilty of all eight offences.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Davis, of Kirklees District Police, welcomed the verdict and condemned the seriousness of the offending.
“We welcome the jury’s verdict today in finding Khalid guilty of very serious offences committed against young and very vulnerable victims more than 20 years ago,” he said.
“He committed multiple rapes over a prolonged period against a vulnerable teenage girl, abusing her in a fashion which can only be described as appalling.”
He added: “He has also been convicted of supplying Class A drugs to another victim.”
The convictions mark a significant development in efforts to secure justice for survivors of historic sexual abuse in Kirklees.
DCI Davis said investigators had remained determined to locate Khalid after he fled the country.
“Officers never stopped enquiries to locate Khalid after he fled the country, and arrangements were swiftly put in place with partners to detain him when he arrived back in the UK,” he said.
He stressed that the passage of time would not prevent police from pursuing those responsible for sexual offences.
“I hope this case, and the many other convictions we are continuing to see at our courts for non-recent sexual offending, further demonstrate that we will never stop trying to seek justice for victims.”
Police also paid tribute to the survivors whose accounts helped bring the case before the courts.
“I want to commend the courage of survivors in this case for speaking with us and disclosing the abuse they suffered,” DCI Davis said.
“We fully appreciate just how difficult it can be for victims of sexual offending to speak with us and can pledge we will do all we can to support them.”
He said reports of sexual abuse are investigated by specially trained detectives who can also help victims access appropriate support.
The force is encouraging anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, whether recently or many years ago, to come forward when they feel ready.
Information about reporting sexual offences and accessing support is available through West Yorkshire Police’s When You Are Ready service.
Khalid will return to Leeds Crown Court for sentencing on 24 November 2026.
