Grooming gang member still at large nine months on

Kasir Bashir was convicted by a jury following a lengthy trial

A member of a grooming gang who sexually exploited and raped a teenage girl is still on the run after almost nine months.

A manhunt is under way to track down Kasir Bashir, who failed to appear for the first day of his trial in January and has been at large since.

The 50-year-old, who worked at Rochdale Indoor Market, was found guilty in his absence of abusing the 13-year-old victim and given a sentence of 29 years.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said "time was no barrier" in bringing Bashir to justice.

Bashir, who was in his mid 20s at the time, was one of seven men convicted of grooming two teenagers, known as Girl A and Girl B, between 2001 and 2006.

Both girls were treated as "sex slaves" amid "deeply troubled home lives" as they were given drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, places to stay and people to be with, the court heard.

The victims were expected to have sex "whenever and wherever" the men wanted, in filthy flats, cars, car parks, alleyways and disused warehouses.

Girl B said she was living in a local children's home when she was preyed on by three men who worked at the market, including Bashir.

GMP said Bashir had answered bail on a weekly basis since being charged with the offences in 2023.

He last reported to officers on 8 January at Rochdale Police Station - the week before the trial was due to start at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

But he failed to appear at the court and a bench warrant was issued on the same day by the judge who was presiding over the case.

As Bashir had to surrender his passport as part of his bail conditions GMP are investigating whether he fled the country via illegitimate means, but his whereabouts are currently unknown.

'Abhorrent crimes'

Pakistan-born Bashir, of Napier Street East, Oldham, was convicted of multiple counts of rape and indecency with a child in relation to Girl B.

Det Ch Insp Guy Laycock previously said: "Kasir Bashir cowardly avoided the whole trial and thought he could escape justice.

"This is in stark contrast to the survivors who gave brave and painful testimony over the four-month trial in front of the men that so badly abused them.

"We will do all we can to find Bashir and ensure justice is fully served for them.

"Time was no barrier to bringing these groomers to justice, and Bashir evading the trial will not stop us ensuring he now faces the full consequences of his actions."

• If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, a range of support and advice can be accessed via the BBC Action Line