A warrant for the arrest of a man charged with rape and sexual activity with an underage girl was issued by a district judge today after a court heard he boarded a flight to Ireland and hasn't returned to the UK since.
It came as 10 men accused of historic child sex offences in Rochdale, including a father-of-seven, made first appearances at Manchester and Salford magistrates court on Wednesday.
District Judge Mitchell issued a warrant for the arrest of Tahir Rashid, 52, of Hudsons Walk, Rochdale, who did not appear for the hearing. READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community Peter Conroy, prosecuting, said police had intelligence Rashid boarded a 5.50am flight to Dublin on April 30 and has not since returned to the UK.
Rashid is charged with 13 offences in total, including rape and penetrative sexual activity with an underage girl. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) announced on May 2 11 men were charged in connection with Operation Lytton – an ongoing investigation into historic sex offences against children.
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