A major manhunt is underway for a convicted child sex offender who absconded before his trial and has not been seen for over three weeks. Sharam Muhamadi, 21, an Iranian national, was found guilty in his absence on Tuesday, June 9, at Sheffield Crown Court on two counts of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation. He had been granted bail at the start of the trial after previously being remanded in custody.
Details of the Case
Muhamadi failed to appear for his court proceedings, prompting South Yorkshire Police to initiate a search. However, reporting restrictions prevented a public appeal until after his conviction. Muhamadi was convicted alongside Bawan Hawre, 28, from Iraq, who was found guilty of raping and exploiting seven girls aged between 12 and 16 in Doncaster. Both men used fake names—Hawre as "Karo" and Muhamadi as "Jack"—to groom their victims via social media, offering vapes, e-cigarettes, and money before transporting them between Barnsley and Doncaster.
Background of the Offender
The court heard that Muhamadi entered the UK as an unaccompanied asylum seeker in 2021 at age 16, was granted leave to remain in 2022, and had his status reviewed in 2027. He moved from Bradford to Doncaster in 2023 and worked in a convenience store. Police have established that Muhamadi has links to the West Midlands and traveled to Birmingham by train between May 16 and May 18. The last confirmed sighting was around 9pm on May 18 in Birmingham city centre. He then took a taxi toward Coventry Road and the Small Heath Park area, southeast of the city. His current whereabouts remain unknown.
Police Appeal
Assistant Chief Constable Hayley Barnett stated: "Our priority has been and will continue to be securing full justice for the victims tragically involved. They have shown commendable bravery throughout our full investigation and the complex trial which followed. We are wholly focussed on finding Muhamadi and ensuring he faces the consequences of his actions. Officers have been relentlessly pursuing all lines of enquiries. We are keeping an open mind of his whereabouts. We believe he is still in the country, but if he is found abroad, we will seek the Government's help in doing everything we can to extradite him. We will not stop until we find him, and we will ensure these young girls get the justice they deserve."
Anyone who sees Muhamadi is urged not to approach him but to call 999 immediately, quoting South Yorkshire Police incident number 610 of May 21, 2026. Anonymous information can be provided to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.
