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Nuneaton was jolted on Friday after 23-year-old Ahmad Mulakhil admitted raping a 12-year-old girl, abruptly reversing his earlier denials in a dramatic turn at Warwick Crown Court. The attack happened on 22 July, and the guilty plea now places the case on a fast track toward sentencing.
Mulakhil, who has no fixed address, had earlier pleaded not guilty to several other serious charges, including allegations of abduction and additional sexual offences involving the same child, during a hearing held in August.
His co-defendant, 23-year-old Mohammad Kabir, also originally from Afghanistan, maintained his not-guilty pleas to separate accusations linked to the same child. The case, already one of the most sensitive and emotionally charged in the region, has inflamed debate over community safety, immigration, and how the justice system handles offences involving very young victims. A protest outside Nuneaton Town Hall in August underscored just how tense the situation had become.
Kabir spoke only to confirm his name, while Mulakhil confirmed his name and entered his guilty plea when he was rearraigned on one count of rape.
Mulakhil’s admission covers one count of raping a child under 13. Additional allegations previously listed against him—abduction and further sexual offences—were not addressed during the plea change.
Kabir continues to deny the offences he faces, which include:
Attempting to take a child
Aiding and abetting rape of a child under 13
Intentional strangulation
Both men used interpreters as they appeared before Judge Kristina Montgomery KC, confirming only their names and pleas during the hearing.
Following a guilty plea in a serious child offence case, the court moves toward sentencing while preparing separately for the co-defendant’s trial. A sentencing date for Mulakhil is expected to be set shortly. Kabir’s case continues independently, and his charges will be assessed on their own evidence.
The child involved is legally protected from identification. Because of the guilty plea, she will not need to participate in cross-examination relating to Mulakhil’s sentencing.
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The allegations ignited strong reactions across town, particularly after police confirmed both accused men are Afghan nationals. Demonstrators gathered outside Nuneaton Town Hall in early August carrying flags and chanting political slogans as frustration over national immigration policies collided with concern for local safety.
Community leaders have urged calm as the court process continues, but emotions remain high.
Cases involving the rape of a child follow well-established procedures in England and Wales:
1. Pre-Sentence Reports
Probation officers compile a detailed report on the offender’s background, risk factors, and circumstances relevant to sentencing.
2. Sentencing Guidelines
Judges rely on national guidelines that consider:
The victim’s age
The level of harm
Use of any force or coercion
Any aggravating or mitigating factors
The timing of the guilty plea
Offences involving children under 13 sit in the most serious category.
3. Prison and Notification Requirements
Conviction for child rape almost always leads to a lengthy prison term. Offenders are also placed on the Sex Offenders Register, typically for life.
4. Co-Defendant Trials Continue Separately
Mulakhil’s plea does not affect Kabir’s case. A jury evaluating Kabir’s charges will consider only the evidence relevant to him.
Will Mulakhil’s guilty plea end the entire case?
No. His plea relates only to his own charge. Kabir’s case continues on a separate track.
How long could Mulakhil be imprisoned?
Child rape carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, which means the offender is legally supervised for the rest of their life. The judge sets a minimum term—often between 10 and 25 years in the most serious cases—before the offender can even be considered for release. After that, the Parole Board decides if they are ever safe to release, and the person can be returned to prison at any time if they breach their licence conditions.
Will the child need to testify?
Not for Mulakhil’s sentencing. Whether she is required in Kabir’s case depends on the prosecution’s evidence plan and any pre-recorded testimony already taken.
What happens next?
The court will schedule a sentencing hearing for Mulakhil. Meanwhile, Kabir’s not-guilty pleas mean further hearings and a potential trial.
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