Today saw the men who groomed girls for sex in Rochdale in the 2000s brought to long-awaited justice.
Kasir Bashir aged 50 is one of those men but was absent throughout his trial. That was despite answering bail on a weekly basis since being charged in 2023, including the week before the trial began in January 2025.
In his absence he was convicted by a jury of two counts of rape; and two counts of indecency with a child.
He is a wanted man and is being actively sought by GMP, with support from our colleagues in the Crown Prosecution Service’s Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit.
We don’t know where Bashir he is, but we are determined to find him no matter where he thinks he can hide.
Anyone with information about Bashir’s whereabouts should contact police or Crimestoppers, anonymously.
Detective Chief Inspector Guy Laycock is the senior investigation officer on the case. He said: “The men who committed this horrific abuse have now been found guilty of their abhorrent crimes. One defendant, Kasir Bashir cowardly avoided the whole trial and thought he could escape justice.
“This is in stark contrast to the survivors who gave brave and painful testimony over the four-month trial in front of the men that so badly abused them. We will do all we can to find Bashir and ensure justice is fully served for them.
“Time was no barrier to bringing these groomers to justice, and Bashir evading the trial, will not stop us ensuring he now faces the full consequences of his actions.”
Information about Kasir Bashir should be given to police online or via 101 quoting Operation Lytton. You can anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
