South Yorkshire Police have launched a manhunt for Sharam Muhamadi, 21, who was convicted in his absence of two counts of trafficking teenage girls for sexual exploitation. He disappeared after being granted bail during a trial at Sheffield Crown Court, with his last confirmed sighting in Birmingham city centre on May 18. The conviction followed an investigation revealing seven victims aged between 12 and 16, and co-defendant Bawan Hawre was also found guilty of multiple sexual offences.

How Bail Led to a Disappearance: Muhamadi's Sheltered Flight After Conviction

According to South Yorkshire Police, Muhamadi was released on bail during the trial at Sheffield Crown Court and subsequently failed to appear for court, resulting in his conviction in absentia on two counts of trafficking girls for exploitation. The source report states that officers believe he travelled to Birmingham between May 16 and May 18, but his movements since then remain unknown. Assistant chief constable Hayley Barnett said: 'We are wholly focussed on finding Muhamadi and ensuring he faces the consequences of his actions.'

The case raises immediate concerns about the decision to grant bail to a defendant facing such serious charges, particularly one who was ultimately convicted. While bail is a standard legal right, its application in cases involving exploitation of minors warrants rigorous scrutiny, as the risk of absconding may be higher when convictions appear likely.

Vapes and Social Media: The Grooming Method That Ensnared Seven Girls

As reported by the source, the investigation began in August 2024 after a missing teenage girl told authorities she was being sexually exploited. Detectives then identified six more victims, all aged between 12 and 16. The jury heard that Muhamadi and his co-defendant Bawan Hawre used fake names to contact girls on social media, offering them vapes, e-cigarettes, and money. After arranging meetings , the pair provided the girls with alcohol and drugs before abusing them. Victims were transported between Barnsley and Doncaster for exploitation.

This grooming pattern mirrors tactics seen in other trafficking rings across the UK, where vulnerable minors are targeted online and lured with small gifts before being coerced into sexual abuse. the young ages of the victims—some as young as 12—underscore the predatory nature of the operations and the critical importance of early intervention by authorities.

Bawan Hawre's Guilty Verdict: Six Counts of Rape and a Pattern of Abuse

While Muhamadi remains at large, his co-defendant Bawan Hawre, 28, formerly from Doncaster, stood trial and was found guilty of sexual offences against seven teenage girls. The source reports that Hawre was convicted of six counts of trafficking , six counts of rape, as well as grooming and false imprisonment offences. Both men are due to be sentenced on June 11, though Muhamadi's absence casts doubt on the timeline for his sentencing.

Hawre's extensive list of convictions highlights the severity of the abuse network. The fact that two men worked together to exploit girls indicates an organised element to the crimes, which police have not fully detailed in public statements. The successful conviction of Hawre, however, provides some measure of justice for the seven victims, even as Muhamadi evades capture.

The Birmingham Trail and a Cross-Border Risk: Muhamadi's Possible Route

South Yorkshire Police believe Muhamadi remains in the UK but have not ruled out the possibility that he could attempt to leave the country. the source notes that his last confirmed sighting was in Birmingham city centre on May 18. ACC Barnett stated: 'We are keeping an open mind of his whereabouts. We believe he is still in the country, but if he is found abroad, we will seek the government's help in doing everything we can to extradite him.'

Birmingham's status as a major transport hub makes it a plausible transit point for someone seeking to flee domestically or internationally. The police's emphasis on keeping an 'open mind' suggests that leads have been scarce, and the window for a quick capture may be narrowing. The broader context of cross-border criminal movements—where individuals convicted of serious crimes exploit gaps in national extradition agreements—adds urgency to the manhunt.