A manhunt has been launched for a convicted child sex offender who absconded before his trial and has not been seen since May 18. Sharam Muhamadi, 21, from Iran, was found guilty in his absence on Tuesday, June 9, of two counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view of exploitation, after failing to appear at Sheffield Crown Court.

He had been granted bail by the court at the start of the trial after previously being remanded in custody. South Yorkshire Police immediately began a manhunt when Muhamadi failed to appear, but was unable to launch a public appeal for help due to reporting restrictions, which have now been lifted following his conviction. Muhamadi was convicted alongside Bawan Hawre, 28, from Iraq, who was found guilty of raping and exploiting seven girls aged between 12 and 16 in Doncaster.

Both men had used fake names - Hawre going by "Karo" and Muhamadi by "Jack" - to groom the girls via social media, offering them vapes, e-cigarettes and money before transporting them between Barnsley and Doncaster, reported YorkshireLive.

Muhamadi had entered the UK as an unaccompanied asylum seeker, making a claim for asylum in 2021 at the age of 16 and being granted leave to remain in 2022, to be reviewed in 2027, the court heard. He had moved from Bradford to Doncaster in 2023 and had been working in a convenience store.

Officers have established that Muhamadi has links to the West Midlands area and travelled to Birmingham by train between May 16 and May 18.

The last confirmed sighting of Muhamadi was at around 9pm on May 18 in Birmingham city centre. He then travelled by taxi towards Coventry Road and the Small Heath Park area, southeast of the city. His whereabouts since then are unknown.

Assistant Chief Constable Hayley Barnett said: "Our priority has been and will continue to be securing full justice for the victims tragically involved. They have shown commendable bravery throughout our full investigation and the complex trial which followed.

"We are wholly focussed on finding Muhamadi and ensuring he faces the consequences of his actions. Officers have been relentlessly pursuing all lines of enquiries. 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.

"We will not stop until we find him, and we will ensure these young girls get the justice they deserve."

Anyone who sees Muhamadi is asked not to approach him but to call 999, quoting South Yorkshire Police incident number 610 of May 21, 2026. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.