Police have launched an international manhunt for a paedophile from Bury who fled the country during his trial.
Hassan Mahmood was found guilty of four counts of child sexual offences following a four-day trial, but the 23-year-old fled the UK on the second day in court, with the trial continuing in his absence.
He is a wanted man and is being actively sought by Greater Manchester Police, who warned: ‘We don’t know where Mahmood is, but we are determined to find him no matter where he thinks he can hide.’
At Manchester Crown Court, Mahmood of Gigg Lane, Bury, was guilty on four counts of child sexual offences.
The charges included namely engaging in penetrative sexual activity with girl under 13; causing a child under 13 to watch/look at an image of sexual activity; engaging in sexual activity in presence of a child under 13 and engaging in sexual communication with a child.
Anyone with information about Mahmood’s whereabouts should contact the police or Crimestoppers anonymously as efforts to trace him continue.
Hassan Mahmood, 23, fled the country during a trial where he was convicted of four child sexual offence charges
An international manhunt has been launched after he fled the country during his trial at Manchester Crown Court
Detective Constable, Shaheen Saleh, from GMP’s Child Criminal Exploitation Team, said: ‘Hassan Mahmood committed this abhorrent crime and has now been found guilty. He has cowardly thought he can evade justice by fleeing the country.
‘Mahmood is only prolonging the inevitable outcome, and we will do all we can to make sure he faces the full consequences of his actions.
‘We are unwavering in our commitment to protecting children and are offering our full support to the victim and their family during this time.
‘Anyone with information should contact the police either online or via 101. You can anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.’
