A man has been jailed for 14 years after a Nottinghamshire court heard details of serious sexual offences against a young woman he met in a public park. Sheraz Malik, 28, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday June 11, where he was sentenced following convictions earlier this year in relation to the case.
The court heard that he met the 18-year-old victim on Sutton Lawn in Sutton-in-Ashfield on June 29, 2025, after she was introduced to him and a group of older men. Prosecutors said she was first assaulted by another man in the group before Malik later led her to a more secluded area where she was assaulted again.
Police later identified Malik after another suspect was arrested. He was traced to Newcastle and arrested on July 18. During interviews he gave no comment answers, even when presented with DNA evidence linking him to the victim. The BBC reports that Malik was an asylum seeker.
At trial he claimed the encounter was consensual. The jury rejected that account. He was convicted in January of two counts, and cleared of a third. He received an extended 14-year sentence, made up of 10 years in custody and four on licence.
Detective Inspector Nicole Milner said: “This remains a complex and demanding investigation, and one that continues to be a priority for Nottinghamshire Police as we pursue our enquiries to locate and arrest a further suspect. Above all, my thoughts are with the victim, whose courage, resilience and bravery have been evident throughout both the investigation and the criminal justice process.
“Sheraz Malik has today received a significant custodial sentence, reflecting the seriousness of his offending and the profound impact of his actions on the victim. I hope this sentence brings the victim a sense of justice and reassurance that Malik no longer poses a threat to our community.”
The court heard that he met the 18-year-old victim on Sutton Lawn in Sutton-in-Ashfield on June 29, 2025, after she was introduced to him and a group of older men. Prosecutors said she was first assaulted by another man in the group before Malik later led her to a more secluded area where she was assaulted again.
Police later identified Malik after another suspect was arrested. He was traced to Newcastle and arrested on July 18. During interviews he gave no comment answers, even when presented with DNA evidence linking him to the victim. The BBC reports that Malik was an asylum seeker.
At trial he claimed the encounter was consensual. The jury rejected that account. He was convicted in January of two counts, and cleared of a third. He received an extended 14-year sentence, made up of 10 years in custody and four on licence.
Detective Inspector Nicole Milner said: “This remains a complex and demanding investigation, and one that continues to be a priority for Nottinghamshire Police as we pursue our enquiries to locate and arrest a further suspect. Above all, my thoughts are with the victim, whose courage, resilience and bravery have been evident throughout both the investigation and the criminal justice process.
“Sheraz Malik has today received a significant custodial sentence, reflecting the seriousness of his offending and the profound impact of his actions on the victim. I hope this sentence brings the victim a sense of justice and reassurance that Malik no longer poses a threat to our community.”
