Full Breakdown
Asylum Seeker Sheraz Malik Found Guilty of Rape in Nottinghamshire Park
1/26/2026, 9:00:07 PM
Overview of the Case
Sheraz Malik, a 28-year-old asylum seeker from Pakistan, has been convicted of two counts of raping an 18-year-old woman in Sutton Lawn park, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, on June 29, 2022. Following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court, a jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts after approximately three hours of deliberation. Malik was acquitted of a third charge of anal rape.
Details of the Incident
The trial revealed that the victim had been drinking with a male friend before encountering Malik and a group of men in the park. After her friend left to meet another acquaintance, the woman was allegedly raped by one man before Malik took her to a secluded area where he also raped her. Prosecution counsel Nicholas Corsellis KC described the victim as "alone, drunk and obviously a vulnerable person."
Malik maintained that the sexual encounter was consensual, claiming the woman expressed affection towards him. However, the victim testified that she felt scared and uncomfortable, denying any part of the encounter was consensual. She stated, “I didn’t have nobody else with me. I was scared, I felt scared of saying no.”
Malik's Background and Trial
Malik, who had previously lived in Italy, Germany, and France before arriving in the UK, was remanded into custody following his conviction. During the trial, he provided evidence in English and claimed to have been playing cricket and smoking cannabis in the park prior to the attack. He also mentioned receiving financial support from the Home Office.
The court heard that Malik had used a different name to book a coach ticket to leave the Nottinghamshire area after the incident, which raised questions during the trial. Malik's defense argued that this was irrelevant, but the judge ruled otherwise.
Official Statements and Responses
Judge Simon Ash KC adjourned the case for a mention hearing on February 6, 2024, to schedule a sentencing date and ordered a pre-sentence report to assess Malik's level of dangerousness. He emphasized the seriousness of the charges, stating, “You have been convicted of very serious charges and I will need to sentence you in due course.”
Detective Inspector Nicole Milner of Nottinghamshire Police praised the victim's bravery and resilience, stating, “She has shown great courage throughout and helped us to build a very strong case against Malik.” The police are also pursuing another suspect linked to the case.
Criticism and Community Response
The case has sparked protests in Sutton-in-Ashfield, particularly after local MP Lee Anderson highlighted Malik's immigration status on social media. Demonstrators called for stricter immigration controls, while counter-protesters were reportedly outnumbered.
What's Next
Malik will remain in custody until his sentencing, which is set for February 6, 2024. The investigation continues as authorities seek to locate the additional suspect involved in the incident.
