Naheed Ejaz, the former mayor of Bracknell Forest in Berkshire, has been sentenced to three years in prison for helping her son cover up his rape of an unconscious teenage girl. The 61-year-old was found guilty of perverting the course of justice at Winchester Crown Court.
Background of the case
Her son, Diwan Khan, 41, raped the 15-year-old girl in his car in Hampshire in July 2024 after giving her vodka laced with MDMA. He filmed the assault while she was unconscious. Khan, who served as his mother's mayoral consort, was jailed for 12 years with an extended five-year licence period. He also received a sexual harm prevention order for 20 years, an indefinite restraining order, and will be on the sex offenders register for life.
How Ejaz obstructed justice
When police arrived at Khan's home to arrest him on September 12, 2024, Ejaz delayed opening the door for two minutes. Body-worn camera footage captured a conversation between mother and son in Urdu, in which they discussed hiding something. The conversation was later translated, and despite multiple searches, the phone was never found.
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman stated: "Khan had supplied the girl with vodka laced with MDMA, and then raped her while she was unconscious and filmed himself doing so."
Council response
A Bracknell Forest Council spokesperson confirmed that Khan had acted as mayoral consort but had conducted no civic functions or engagements in 2024. Ejaz's portrait was removed from the gallery of former mayors at the council's Time Square office. Chief executive Susan Halliwell said: "Our thoughts remain with the brave young girl whose life has been undoubtedly changed forever due to the heinous crimes of former mayor Naheed Ejaz and former mayoral consort Diwan Khan." The council has launched a thorough investigation into the taxi licensing of both Ejaz and Khan.
Detective Constable Lee Clement added: "The victim in this case has shown considerable bravery. This attack continues to have a significant impact on her mental health. We hope that this result helps in some way in her recovery."
