Pandeli Dervishi, 24, has been jailed for seven years and six months after raping a teenage girl inside the toilets of a pub in Leicester. The sentence was handed down on Thursday, October 29, following a trial at Leicester Crown Court.
Dervishi, of no fixed address, attacked the victim, aged 17 at the time, inside the toilets of a pub in The Newarke, Leicester, on Wednesday, October 1. He forced the girl to perform oral sex on him.
Arrest and Investigation
Officers rushed to the scene and Dervishi was arrested immediately, with an urgent investigation launched. Detectives from Leicestershire Police bailed the Albanian national while they reviewed key evidence, including CCTV, forensic evidence and digital material.
Dervishi was charged with one count of rape in February 2026 but failed to answer police bail. He was then added to the Police National Computer as a wanted person, with officers launching a manhunt to track him down.
Manhunt and Capture
DC Jon Williams, the lead officer in the case, established that Dervishi was likely in the Guildford area of Surrey through a review of phone data and financial records. He was then spotted driving a white Mazda through a red traffic light on the A320 Woking Road in the town in the early hours of April 16.
A Surrey Police officer gave chase before Dervishi was arrested. Subsequent enquiries confirmed he was wanted by Leicestershire Police, and he was charged with the rape offence.
Statements and Aftermath
DC Jon Williams said: "After committing a horrific offence against a young woman, Dervishi deliberately attempted to evade police by leaving the Leicestershire area and failing to answer his police bail.
"Checks revealed he was in the Guildford area and, while the net was slowly closing in on him, it was ultimately the manner of his driving that attracted the attention of a nearby officer. He again attempted to make off before being detained, at which point officers discovered he was wanted by Leicestershire Police in connection with this serious offence.
"During the time Dervishi remained on the run, the victim was left facing considerable uncertainty. While I continued to reassure her that we would find him, it is entirely understandable that she was anxious and concerned that she might never receive the justice she deserved.
"I am pleased that following the guilty verdict and today's sentencing, this case has finally reached its conclusion. I hope the outcome provides the victim with some measure of comfort and allows her to move forward knowing that Dervishi has been held accountable for his actions.
"I would also like to thank PC Chris Hale, from Surrey Police, whose vigilance and quick actions helped bring Dervishi before the courts."
Sergeant Steph Burnham, deputy commander for the Central Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA), added: "We want Leicester city centre to be a safe place for everyone and have taken a proactive approach to deal with those who display such predatory behaviour and identify anyone committing similar offences and bring them to justice.
"This has included the rollout of Project Vigilant, which brings together police, businesses and community partners to spot and tackle predatory behaviour in Leicester's night-time economy."
