Police hunt runaway thug after homophobic attack

26 June 2008

On the run... Sahin Rahman, jailed in his absence

POLICE have issued this picture of a man 'on the run' who has been jailed in his absence for a vicious gang attack on two men in the street in the middle of the night.

Sahin Rahman is one of four thugs sentenced this week following the attack at Hackney-road, Bethnal Green, in London's East End, two years ago.

Police say Rahman (pictured), who had been living in Mckenzie-road in Holloway, north London, is currently at large after failing to appear at Snaresbrook crown court on June 16 and remains wanted.

His accomplices, all from Holloway, have appeared in court.

Shamimur Rahman, 22, admitted violent disorder and was jailed for 13-and-a-half months.

Motiur Rahman, also 22, was found guilty of violent disorder and GBH and was jailed for seven years.

Nurul Ahmed, 25, was also convicted of violent disorder and sentenced to 18 months.

The gang drew up in a car when they spotted two men walking home along Hackney-road two years ago after a night out and hurled homophobic abuse at them in the mistaken belief they were gay.

The thugs then launched a vicious attack, stabbing one of the men in the leg and hitting him over the head with a wheel brace.

The second man was attacked when he went to help his friend. Both later needed hospital treatment.

The thugs then drove off, but a passer-by took down the registration number and police were alerted.

Their car was stopped by police in Holloway-road three hours later and the four were arrested.

Det Sgt Sarah Whittle from Bethnal Green CID, who led the hunt for the gang, said after the case: "This was a cowardly and vicious attack on two defenseless men who had enjoyed a night out.

"The attack was all the more serious in that it was motivated by homophobia.

"The court sentences send a robust message that 'hate' crime won't be tolerated."

Police are now appealing for anyone with information about Sahin Rahman's whereabouts to contact them, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.