Wakar Akhtar, who was found guilty of conspiring in and committing gang rape of a school-teacher in the back of a taxi at Horton Park, Bradford, was apprehended abroad in Italy.
The 21 year-old fled the country during the course of his trial. Working together with 4 others- Tamseel Virk who owned the taxi, Azad Raja, the second defendant found guilty of assault, and Ul-Saeed, a final conspirator- Akhtar was given a total of seventeen years in jail.
Akhtar's father and cousin, Mohammed Akhtar Raja and Raja Sarwar, will now also face sentencing after pleading guilty in conspiring to obstruct justice. They were said to have helped Akhtar in his escape route through Calais via ferry, and then on through Europe.
Judge Thomas has adjourned the trial of Raja and Sarwar until January 23 under temporary probation: “This is the sort of offence that will inevitably carry prison with it” he told the defendants, “in all reality, it will be a question of what that sentence is."
Convicted rapist Akhtar will be extradited from Italy where he is currently being held in hospital.
All four of the convicted men plan to appeal the judge's verdict.
