South Yorkshire Police are urgently searching for a convicted child sex trafficker who disappeared after being granted bail and has now been found guilty in his absence. Sharam Muhamadi, 21, was convicted on Tuesday, June 9, on two serious counts of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation. His trial at Sheffield Crown Court proceeded without him after he failed to appear on its opening day, Monday, May 18. Despite being held in custody between his initial charging and the start of the trial, Muhamadi vanished after a bail application from his defence team was approved by the court. Authorities have been pursuing him ever since but were legally constrained from publicly appealing for assistance until the trial’s conclusion due to strict reporting restrictions.
Extensive police investigations have traced Muhamadi’s last known movements to Birmingham. Enquiries reveal that he travelled by train to Birmingham New Street Station between Saturday, May 16, and Monday, May 18. The last confirmed sighting of him was at approximately 9:00 PM on Monday, May 18, in Birmingham city centre. From there, he took a taxi to the Coventry Road and Small Heath Park area, located southeast of the city centre. After this journey, his trail goes cold. South Yorkshire Police, working closely with West Midlands Police, have conducted exhaustive searches in the area, patrolling streets, reviewing hours of CCTV footage, analysing phone records, and showing his photograph to local residents and businesses in an attempt to gather leads.
The disappearance of Muhamadi represents a profound breach of justice and a continuing ordeal for the young victims at the heart of this case. Assistant Chief Constable Hayley Barnett emphasized that the force’s absolute priority is securing full justice for these victims, who have shown commendable bravery throughout a gruelling investigation and trial. The police are wholly focused on locating Muhamadi to ensure he faces the consequences of his actions. Authorities maintain an open mind regarding his current whereabouts but believe he is still within the United Kingdom. However, they have also stated unequivocally that if he has fled abroad, they will seek the government’s assistance to initiate extradition proceedings, leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit.
This case underscores the severe and lasting harm of child exploitation and the critical importance of community vigilance. The police are now appealing directly to the public for help, releasing Muhamadi’s image and description in the hope that someone may have seen him or have information about where he might be hiding. They are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who may have seen him in or around Birmingham New Street Station, the Coventry Road corridor, or the Small Heath area from mid-May onwards. Any detail, no matter how seemingly insignificant, could prove vital to the investigation.
In addition to standard police channels, information can be passed on completely anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers. Individuals can contact Crimestoppers online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling their freephone number, 0800 555 111. This option allows people to share what they know without fear of reprisal or having to give a formal statement. Public cooperation is often the key to resolving such cases, and authorities are hopeful that community assistance will lead to Muhamadi’s swift apprehension.
The message from South Yorkshire Police is resolute and clear: they will not stop until Sharam Muhamadi is found. His conviction stands, but true justice for the courageous young victims requires his presence to be sentenced. The force remains determined to bring this man into custody, to provide closure for those he exploited, and to demonstrate that individuals convicted of such grave offences cannot evade accountability. The public is urged to view his image, remain alert, and come forward with any information that could aid this crucial search.
