Police accused of covering up child rape by Afghan migrants by mislabeling suspects and victim

16 December 2025 , 10:55

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Police accused of covering up child rape by Afghan migrants by mislabeling suspects and victim

UK police and courts are facing criticism over the handling of a rape case involving two Afghan migrants accused of attacking a 15-year-old girl, with allegations that key details were concealed from the public.

Jan Jahanzeb and Israr Niazal, who arrived in Britain by small boat just two months before the crime, were initially described by Warwickshire Police as “two 17-year-old boys from Leamington,” while the victim was referred to as a “young woman.”

The case was first heard in a youth court, preventing public access and imposing strict anonymity rules. The identities of the offenders were only revealed after the case was sent to Warwick Crown Court for sentencing, following a legal challenge by the Daily Mail. Judge Sylvia de Bertodano later said it was “unfortunate” the case was not immediately transferred to crown court given its seriousness.

Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick accused authorities of misleading the public, saying the suspects were not local youths but illegal migrants, and stressing the victim was a schoolgirl. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the public had a right to know the truth about crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

Jahanzeb was sentenced to 10 years and eight months in prison, while Niazal received nine years and 10 months. Despite pleading guilty, both men were initially allowed to remain free for nearly a month before being detained. Warwickshire Police said the original descriptions were accurate at the time and acknowledged an error in referring to the victim, which has since been corrected.

Sophia Martinez

World Affairs Correspondent