Asylum Seeker Found Guilty of Park Rape in Nottinghamshire
A 28-year-old asylum seeker has been convicted by a jury for the rape of a young woman who was described as drunk and obviously vulnerable during an attack in a Midland park. Sheraz Malik now faces a significant prison sentence following the unanimous verdict reached at Birmingham Crown Court.
Details of the Attack and Trial
The incident occurred in June 2025 at Sutton Lawn park in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. The court heard that the 18-year-old victim had been drinking vodka with a male friend when they encountered Malik and a group of other men in the park. After her friend left her with the group, the woman was allegedly raped by two different men in separate secluded areas of the park.
Malik, who was born in Pakistan and had previously lived in Italy, Germany, and France before coming to the UK, claimed the sexual encounter was consensual. He testified that the woman had told him "I really like you" and "I really enjoyed it." However, the jury of five men and seven women took just three hours to convict him on two counts of rape, while acquitting him of a third count.
Victim's Testimony and Legal Proceedings
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, gave evidence via video link with her screen shielded from Malik's view. She firmly denied any part of the encounter was consensual, stating she felt scared and vulnerable when alone with the men. When questioned by Malik's barrister about why she went for a walk with Malik after the first alleged rape, she responded: "I didn't have nobody else with me. I was scared, I felt scared of saying no."
Prosecutor Nicholas Corsellis KC described the woman as alone, drunk and obviously a vulnerable person at the time of the attacks. The court also heard that a reporting restriction had been in place at Nottingham Crown Court last September, preventing mention of Malik's immigration status until the trial concluded.
Sentencing and Ongoing Investigation
Malik, who wore a white T-shirt and black Nike jacket during proceedings and listened with the assistance of a Pashto interpreter, showed no emotion as the verdicts were returned. Judge Simon Ash KC has ordered a pre-sentence report to assess Malik's level of dangerousness and remanded him into custody pending sentencing, which will be scheduled on February 6.
Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that another suspect is still being sought in relation to the incident. Detective Inspector Nicole Milner praised the victim's bravery and resilience throughout the investigation, noting that her evidence helped build a strong case against Malik, whose version of events "lacked credibility from the start."
The police investigation continues as authorities work to locate the outstanding suspect in what remains a priority case for Nottinghamshire Police.
