UK Court convicts three brothers in Sheffield Abuse Scandal

LONDON: (Web Desk) Three brothers have been convicted in the United Kingdom in connection with a historic sexual abuse case in Sheffield involving children and a woman. The verdict followed a lengthy investigation carried out by the National Crime Agency as part of a wider probe into past abuse cases.

Ammar Ilyas, 41, from Sheffield, was found guilty of multiple serious sexual crimes, including rape. Victims told investigators that he was feared and often referred to as “The Killer.” Testimonies revealed he used intimidation, bit one victim, displayed a weapon, and threatened further violence to silence those he abused.

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Although Ammar Ilyas was convicted in September 2025, reporting restrictions prevented the verdict from being published until the legal proceedings against his two younger brothers were completed.

His brothers, Kumar Ilyas, 39, and Kamran Ilyas, 38, were also found guilty of several sexual offences involving a young girl. The same victim had previously been raped by their elder brother, according to court findings.

The case forms part of the large-scale Operation Stovewood investigation, which is examining incidents of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. Authorities reopened numerous historical allegations during the probe.

Investigators first contacted one of the victims in 2018. She told police that Kumar Ilyas groomed her and began raping her when she was just 12 years old. She later reported repeated assaults by Ammar Ilyas between 2004 and 2008, while Kamran Ilyas was also accused of sexually abusing her during that time.

During the same investigation, four additional victims came forward with allegations against Ammar Ilyas. The three brothers were eventually arrested in June 2020 and formally charged in March 2023 after evidence was gathered.

Kamran and Kumar Ilyas remain in custody and are scheduled to appear before Sheffield Crown Court on June 22 for sentencing. Ammar Ilyas, however, fled to Pakistan while on unconditional bail and did not attend his trial. He was tried in absentia and convicted on September 24 of 20 sexual offences along with possession of a weapon intended to cause fear.

The court has issued an arrest warrant for Ammar Ilyas. Investigators from Operation Stovewood and the National Crime Agency’s Joint International Crime Centre are continuing efforts to locate him and bring him into custody.