The Ilyas brothers’ “attempts to avoid this case being tried” is in direct contrast to “utmost courage” displayed by the survivors of their abuse

“Seeking to greatly exaggerate medical conditions” and attempting to manipulate court proceedings from abroad are amongst the shameful methods used by the Ilyas brothers in a bid to evade justice.

The day the Ilyas brothers - Amar, Kamran and Kamar - were finally sentenced should have been a day which provided justice and much-needed closure to the girls they preyed upon and abused, more than 20 years ago.

The day the Ilyas brothers - Amar (right), Kamran (left) and Kamar (centre) - were finally sentenced should have been a day which provided justice and much-needed closure to the girls they preyed upon and abused, more than 20 years ago | NCA/Iconic

placeholder image — The day the Ilyas brothers - Amar (right), Kamran (left) and Kamar (centre) - were finally sentenced should have been a day which provided justice and much-needed closure to the girls they preyed upon and abused, more than 20 years ago | NCA/Iconic

But after Amar Ilyas took the “coward’s route and fled” the country, the suffering of his five victims was prolonged even further, resulting in the case being split into two trials.

And despite the international manhunt for him continuing, those five survivors - each of them now women - have no idea whether Amar Ilyas will ever be made to return to the jurisdiction and forced to serve the 28-year sentence passed down in his absence.

One might imagine that an on-the-run convicted paedophile such as Amar Ilyas might consider keeping his head down to be a wise move.

Instead, the audacious sex offender has sought to influence proceedings from abroad, submitting more than 30 pages of references outlining his charity work to the court via his legal counsel, with whom he is still in contact.

Judge Peter Hampton told the Ilyas brothers’ sentencing hearing, after the jailed brothers - Kamran and Kamar - were escorted out of court to begin their sentences that the “utmost courage” displayed by their survivors is in direct contrast to the behaviour of the defendants.

“The Court pays tribute to the victims in this case. Each of them has shown the utmost courage in coming forward.

“It is a direct contrast to how the defendants behaved in attempting to avoid this case being tried and in particular Amar Ilyas, who has taken the coward’s route and fled.

“He continues to try and manipulate the proceedings from abroad having his counsel espouse his good work for the community whilst simultaneously cowering from these proceedings in a different jurisdiction.”

As outlined by Judge Hampton, Amar Ilyas is not the only brother to try and frustrate justice.

He detailed how Kamar Ilyas sought to “greatly exaggerate” his existing conditions, only for his behaviour during occasions when he did not know he was being observed to expose his true state.

“Kamar you suffer with depression, learning difficulties and anxiety. I am satisfied however that you were malingering during the court process and sought to greatly exaggerate your condition.

“I reach this conclusion on the basis of the reports, the prosecution evidence surrounding events when you did not realise you were being observed and the performance I witnessed during the trial, and the letter you have written me.”

Kamran Ilyas also wrote Judge Hampton a letter, which he branded a “final form of manipulation.”

“None of you have shown any remorse throughout the course of these proceedings. Kamran Ilyas I do not accept the contents of the letter you sent to me professing remorse given the repeated denials of the offences in your pre sentence report.

“This is an attempt at a final form of manipulation by you of these proceedings. It is transparent, obvious and I reject it.”

One of the complainants spoke out about the Ilyas brothers’ attitudes towards the legal proceedings.

She said: “Throughout this process, the defendants conduct conveyed an attitude that these legal proceedings were little more than a joke and that accountability was something that could be avoided, dismissed, or ridiculed.

“There has been a persistent sense that my suffering was not only disregarded but, at times, treated with indifference or even satisfaction.”

Amar Ilyas, aged 41, formerly of Molloy Place, Meersbrook, Sheffield, was sentenced to 27 years’ custody, with a one-year extended licence period after jurors found him guilty of a total of 20 offences. They include 12 counts of rape, five of which relate to the abuse of a girl under 13, and one count of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Kamran Ilyas, aged 38, formerly of Atlow Close, Chesterfield, was jailed for three years, after jurors found him guilty of of two counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl age 13 to 15, when under the age of 18 - all committed against Complainant One.
Kamar Ilyas, aged 39, formerly of Atlow Close, Chesterfield, was jailed for 10 years after jurors found him guilty of one count of rape and two counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl age 13 to 15 - all committed against Complainant One.

Judge Hampton also made all three brothers the subject of restraining orders, prohibiting them from contacting the complainants for a period of 20 years, and told them they must remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.