Brothers Jailed for 40 Years as Ringleader Flees UK

Daily Dazzling Dawn can reveal that five women have finally seen justice today as three brothers were sentenced to a combined total of 40 years in prison for a catalogue of sexual offences spanning years of abuse.

In a case that has exposed serious questions about the justice system's handling of bail decisions, Amar Ilyas, the ringleader of the offending, was sentenced to 27 years in his absence after fleeing to Pakistan while on court bail. The National Crime Agency has now launched an international manhunt to locate and arrest the 39-year-old, who is believed to have travelled to Pakistan - and potentially beyond - in July 2025 .

The court heard that Amar Ilyas had been on bail after being charged in 2023, with concerns now being raised about why he was ever granted bail - a decision that left him free to evade justice . He failed to appear for his trial in September 2025 and was convicted in his absence of 20 sexual offences against five women, including multiple counts of rape.

In a galling twist, Judge Hampton noted during sentencing that 30 pages of references relating to Amar Ilyas' charity work had been submitted to the court - on the instructions of the fugitive himself from Pakistan . "It's galling he's putting forward his good character, when, in my judgment, he's hiding away in a different country," the judge remarked .

Kamran Ilyas, aged 38, and Kamar Ilyas, aged 39, both of Atlow Close, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, were found guilty in March 2026 of a string of sex offences committed against Complainant One - one of Amar's victims .

Kamran Ilyas was sentenced to three years in prison, while Kamar Ilyas received a 10-year sentence for their roles in sexually abusing and raping the same woman.

The five women bravely told the court of the devastating impact the abuse has had on their lives. One victim spoke of the "profound and lasting harm" she has endured, while another described how the abuse had "destroyed her childhood" .

A survivor, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told a journalist: "For 42 years, I have been fighting to have my voice heard. The trauma did not end when the abuse stopped. I live with the consequences every single day" .

Another victim described how the abuse has shaped "the way I view myself, my body, and the world around me" .

The case is part of Operation Stovewood, the single largest investigation into non-familial child sexual exploitation and abuse ever undertaken in the UK . NCA officers have been investigating offences in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, between 1997 and 2013 .

To date, 48 people have been convicted as part of the operation, which continues to pursue justice for victims .

NCA officers are now carrying out extensive enquiries to locate and arrest Amar Ilyas. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to report it to the National Crime Agency or, 100% anonymously, to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

One survivor told a journalist: "I hope the court will send a message to victims of similar crimes that this behaviour will not be tolerated. I recognise that the court is limited in its power to address the widespread systemic issue of sexual violence against young girls and women. But the court has the power to show that the gross injustice of these types of acts will not be tolerated" .

Alan Hastings, NCA senior investigating officer, told a journalist: "Those victims have now, at last, had their voices heard and their accounts believed. While this could never eradicate the suffering caused by their attackers, I hope it will pave the way for the women to move forward with their lives" .

The NCA is urging anyone who may have information about Amar Ilyas's current location to come forward immediately. The agency is working with international partners to locate him, with Pakistan being the focus of initial enquiries.

The victims in this case are protected by law, and their identities cannot be revealed. The Daily Dazzling Dawn fully supports their right to privacy and anonymity.