Three Brothers Found Guilty in Sheffield Child Sexual Abuse Case
Three brothers have been convicted for a series of horrific sexual offences against underage girls in Sheffield, following an extensive investigation by law enforcement. The crimes, which spanned several years, involved grooming, rape, and threats of violence, leaving a trail of trauma among the victims.
Details of the Abuse and Convictions
The eldest brother, Amar Ilyas, 41, known as 'Killer' to his victims, was found guilty of 20 sexual offences and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear. His brothers, Kamran Ilyas, 38, and Kamar Ilyas, 39, both from Sheffield, were convicted of five sexual offences against one of the girls raped by Amar. The convictions came 18 years after the abuse began, with the brothers arrested in June 2020 and charged in March 2023.
Amar Ilyas used a combination of grooming tactics and brutal force to control his victims. He bit one girl, showed her a handgun, and laced a cigarette with crack cocaine before raping her. In one harrowing case, he subjected a girl to weekly rapes over three years, in locations ranging from parks to his car, while also giving her gifts like perfume and jewellery to manipulate her.
Victim Testimonies and Investigation
The investigation was sparked in 2018 when officers contacted a woman from Rotherham, now in her 30s, who revealed she had been groomed and raped by Kamar Ilyas starting at age 12. She was then sexually abused by Amar and Kamran Ilyas between 2004 and 2008. Additional victims came forward, including a woman who was raped by Amar at age 13 while staying at a friend's house, and another who was threatened with gang rape after being approached by Amar and his friends in Sheffield.
National Crime Agency Senior Investigating Officer Alan Hastings stated, 'Amar, Kamar and Kamran Ilyas remorselessly terrorised vulnerable girls from Rotherham and Sheffield. Amar Ilyas' victims were terrified of him, and he mercilessly played on their fear to get them alone, sexually abuse them, and ensure their silence afterwards.'
Legal Proceedings and Broader Context
Amar Ilyas was tried in absentia after being released on unconditional bail and fleeing to Pakistan. He failed to appear for his trial but was convicted on September 24 following a two-week proceeding. Kamran and Kamar Ilyas have been remanded in custody and are scheduled for sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court on June 22.
This case is part of Operation Stovewood, the largest investigation of its kind, examining allegations of abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. To date, 52 individuals, including the Ilyas brothers, have been convicted, receiving custodial sentences totalling over 1,500 years.
