A Birmingham man who fled to Pakistan after being convicted of kidnap, robbery, and supplying Class A drugs is now back in custody and serving his prison sentence. Hassan Rauf, 27, of Fast Pitts Road, Yardley, was sentenced in his absence to 11 years in March 2020 after failing to appear at Birmingham Crown Court alongside two other men.
Rauf was convicted of kidnapping a college student in May 2019, taking the victim to his own home before robbing him in a park and committing burglary with accomplices. He was also convicted of drug offences in Worcester, leading to a combined sentence of nine years for the violent crimes and two additional years for the drugs offences.
While his co-defendants began serving their time, Rauf fled to Pakistan, evading justice for over three years. However, upon returning to the UK in August this year, he was arrested by officers and later convicted of two bail act offences for failing to attend court. At Teesside Crown Court on 10th October, three months were added to his sentence, bringing his total to 11 years and three months.
Detective Sergeant Craig Tennant of the Force CID commented: “Rauf’s attempt to escape justice by fleeing abroad was cowardly, but thanks to our determination, he is now back behind bars to serve his full sentence. This should serve as a clear message that offenders attempting to evade justice will not succeed.”