Rape sentence referred as 'unduly lenient'

The 16-year sentence given to an asylum seeker who abducted and raped a 12-year-old girl has been referred to the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme for review.

Afghan national Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, was found guilty of rape, abduction, sexual assault and taking an indecent video following the incident in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, on 22 July.

In a post on X, Labour peer Harriet Harman said she had asked attorney general Lord Richard Hermer to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal.

A spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office (AGO) confirmed it had received "several requests" to consider the sentence under the ULS scheme, and had 28 days from sentencing to make a decision.

The scheme allows members of the public to ask for certain crown court sentences to be reviewed, if they think the sentence is too low.

The attack by Mulakhil, who also pleaded guilty to one count of rape of a child under 13, led to protests in Nuneaton last summer.

The 23-year-old was told he would serve 15 years in prison and an extra 12 months on licence at Warwick Crown Court on Friday.

Mulakhil had faced trial alongside Mohammad Kabir, also an asylum seeker from Afghanistan, who was acquitted of all charges.

The case prompted changes to guidance on reporting the nationality and immigration status of people arrested and charged.

In a statement, the AGO said: "We have received several requests for this sentence to be considered under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

"The law officers have 28 days from sentencing to carefully consider the case and make a decision."

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