Rochdale rapist nicknamed ‘Crazy’ who fled the UK during trial nabbed by cops after three years on the run
A joint operation between international police organisations and the Punjab Police tracked down Choudhry Hussain who was living in a penthouse in Singla City, Punjab
A ROCHDALE child rapist nicknamed ‘Crazy’ who fled the UK when he was given a day off from his trial has finally been arrested – after three years on the run.
Takeaway driver Choudhry Hussain, 41, claimed he needed to attend a family funeral but instead flew to Pakistan halfway through his sex abuse trial in 2016.
He had permission to go to Birmingham but hopped on a plane to Amsterdam and then on to Islamabad to dodge his 19-year sentence - and had been living the high life ever since.
But local cops seized the paedo - who was living in a penthouse - in Singla City, Punjab, on Saturday (16/1) following a joint operation by the Federal Investigation Agency, the Punjab Police and the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Ian Cruxton, head of international operations at the NCA, said: “Hussain’s offending represents the worst of its kind and he wrongly thought he could escape justice by fleeing to Pakistan.
“The NCA is committed to tracking down and arresting child sex offenders wherever they are in the world.
“We deployed our officers in Pakistan and, with assistance from the local authorities, we were able to locate him in Sangla City.”
Extradition proceedings are now underway to extradite Hussain to the UK where he will finally face justice.
DODGED 19 YEAR SENTENCE
The delivery driver was convicted in his absence of three counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of rape and one count of conspiracy to rape.
Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Daniels, the Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) for Op Doublet that probed the sexual exploitation of teen girls in Rochdale welcomed the arrest.
He said: “As with all offences of this nature, the victim is at the forefront of the investigation and we were determined to track down Hussain for her.
“We were never going to give up on finding him, no matter how much time passed or how far he travelled.
“I hope this sends a clear message to anyone who thinks they can flee the country in a bid to evade justice - you will be caught.”
The UK worked closely with Pakistan from 2017 to track down Hussain, of Rochdale, Gtr Manchester.
most read in UK news
It was enhanced last September when Home Secretary Sajid Javid established the joint justice and accountability partnership between the two countries
British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew CMG said: “The arrest of this individual, who has been convicted of sexual offences by a British court, is a significant achievement, and another excellent example of UK-Pakistan cooperation in tackling international criminality and impunity.
“It sends a clear message that Pakistan is not a safe haven for international criminals.”
[bc_video video_id="5573512272001" account_id="5067014667001" player_id="default" embed="in-page" padding_top="56%" autoplay="" min_width="0px" max_width="640px" width="100%" height="100%" caption="Family of a convicted paedo Abdul Huk, who groomed teen girl in Rochdale clash with furious locals "]
- GOT a story? Ring The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or email [email protected].