Rapist may have fled to Pakistan

WANTED: Choudhry Ikhalaq Hussain

POLICE are appealing for the public’s help to find a man on the run who was convicted of rape and sexual activity with a child.

The Chronicle reported on Friday how 10 men from the North-West had been convicted of a range of serious sexual offences as part of Operation Doublet, an investigation into child sexual exploitation, mainly in Rochdale.

One of them — Choudhry Ikhalaq Hussain (38), of Mayfield Terrace, Rochdale — 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. He is believed to have fled the country during his trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Hussain had claimed a family member had died and was given permission to attend the UK funeral. It is believed that he then fled the country and may now be in Pakistan.

Anyone with information about Hussain can contact police on 0161-856 2447 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.