Afghan national pleads guilty to rape of 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton

An Afghan national has admitted raping a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton.

Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, appeared at Warwick Crown Court on Friday and changed his plea from not guilty to guilty of one count of raping a child under the age of 13 on 22 July.

Mulakhil, of no fixed abode, previously denied abducting a child, three counts of rape of a child under 13, and two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 at a hearing in August.

He appeared along with co-defendant Mohammad Kabir, also aged 23.

At that same hearing, Kabir, also of no fixed abode, denied attempting to take a child, aiding and abetting rape of a child under 13, and intentional strangulation of the girl.

The defendants, who Warwickshire Police previously confirmed are Afghan nationals, were aided by interpreters during Friday's hearing in front of Judge Kristina Montgomery KC.

Kabir spoke only to confirm his name, while Mulakhil confirmed his name and entered his guilty plea when he was rearraigned on one count of rape.

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Mulakhil and Kabir are expected to face a trial on 26 January and will be remanded in custody until then.

The allegations against the two men led to protests outside Nuneaton's Town Hall on August 9, when St George's Cross flags and Union flags were held as protesters marched along the high street and chanted "Stop the boats" and "We want our country back".

(c) Sky News 2025: Afghan national pleads guilty to rape of 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton