Girl, 12, strangled and raped, court hears
The trial of two Afghan nationals accused of assaulting a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton is currently underway at Warwick Crown Court, having officially opened on 29 January 2026.
The case involves a series of serious allegations following an incident on 22 July 2025. Prosecutors allege that the young victim was "targeted" by the two men in the early evening before being attacked in a secluded location.
⚖️ The Charges and Pleas
The two defendants face a combined total of ten charges. While one has admitted to a single count of rape, both maintain their innocence regarding the remaining allegations.
🔍 Details from the Prosecution
During the opening statements, prosecutor Daniel Oscroft described the girl as "obviously young and vulnerable."
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The Alleged Kidnapping: The court heard that Mohammad Kabir grabbed the girl by the neck in an attempt to lead her away. When she resisted and did not go with him, he allegedly strangled her.
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The Cul-de-sac Assault: After the interaction with Kabir, Ahmad Mulakhil reportedly stayed in the area. He is accused of leading the girl to a secluded cul-de-sac in Cheverel Place, where the prosecution says he raped and sexually assaulted her while taking indecent images on his phone.
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The Defence: Mulakhil claims the interaction was consensual and that he believed the girl was 19 years old, based on a conversation where she allegedly lied about her age. However, the prosecution argues that her age should have been clear to any observer.
🏛️ Community Impact
The case has been the subject of significant public interest and sparked anti-asylum protests in Nuneaton last August. Due to the high-profile nature of the case, the College of Policing updated its guidance to encourage forces to release the nationality of suspects in sensitive cases to prevent the spread of misinformation.
The trial is expected to last between five and seven days as the jury hears further evidence, including CCTV footage and forensic data.
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