Two Afghan migrants have been remanded into custody after appearing in court over allegations that they raped and sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl on a London-bound train, while two other Afghan nationals are awaiting sentencing following their convictions for a separate rape attack in an east London park.
This comes as the UK government released a booklet instructing migrants how to live in British society, including not raping children.
Rahimi denied three counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and assault by penetration. Sadat denied two counts of assault by penetration and two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
The pair previously denied all 10 charges against them. Judge Michael Evans KC remanded both defendants in custody until November 4, with a further case management hearing scheduled for August 27.
"There are a number of issues that have arisen, and that may cause adjustments to the timetable," Evans said.
In a separate case, Noorullah Ahmdzai, 26, and Khan Agah were convicted over the rape of a woman in Barking Park in August 2025.
The men then switched roles, prosecutors said, with Agah also assaulting the woman while her date was threatened with the knife. Nutan Fatania, prosecuting, said the defendants had treated the woman as an “object they could use and abuse.” The woman's date was allegedly told: “I will kill you right now.”
DNA recovered from the victim's clothing was used by police to identify the defendants. Ahmdzai claimed the woman had offered to have sex with the pair for £20, but the jury rejected his account.
Both men were convicted of two counts of rape, two counts of threatening with a knife, assault by penetration and false imprisonment. They are due to be sentenced in October. Judge Leslie Cuthbert warned the pair they face “lengthy custodial sentences.” Home Office guidance means both men are expected to face deportation if they receive sentences of more than a year.
The UK government released a pamphlet aimed at migrants explaining social norms and expectations for living in England. The booklet is intended to help migrants "understand what is expected of [them] when living in the UK." More than 1.3 million migrants are currently receiving UK welfare benefits.
The booklet defines rape and explains that it is illegal. In outlining the legal age of consent, it states: "sex with someone under the age of 16 is a serious crime in the UK. There are no exceptions to this rule. Even if they say yes, it is still illegal. You could go to prison, lose your support and accommodation, and it will affect your asylum claim." The guidance is specifically directed at migrants rather than the general British public. It covers topics including "gender equality, domestic abuse, sex and consent, respect in public," and "getting help."
The inclusion of detailed guidance on sex and consent drew attention on social media, with critics questioning why the government felt the need to explicitly instruct migrants that rape and sex with minors are illegal.
This comes as the UK government released a booklet instructing migrants how to live in British society, including not raping children.
Baryalai Rahimi, 25, and Mirebadurahman Sadat, 29, appeared at Inner London Crown Court on Wednesday in connection with an alleged attack on a train traveling from Sturry to London Bridge on February 5.
Rahimi denied three counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and assault by penetration. Sadat denied two counts of assault by penetration and two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
The pair previously denied all 10 charges against them. Judge Michael Evans KC remanded both defendants in custody until November 4, with a further case management hearing scheduled for August 27.
"There are a number of issues that have arisen, and that may cause adjustments to the timetable," Evans said.
In a separate case, Noorullah Ahmdzai, 26, and Khan Agah were convicted over the rape of a woman in Barking Park in August 2025.
Prosecutors said the pair approached the woman and her date while they were lying beneath the stars, before overpowering them. Ahmdzai raped the woman while Agah allegedly held a Swiss Army-style knife to her date's throat.
The men then switched roles, prosecutors said, with Agah also assaulting the woman while her date was threatened with the knife. Nutan Fatania, prosecuting, said the defendants had treated the woman as an “object they could use and abuse.” The woman's date was allegedly told: “I will kill you right now.”
DNA recovered from the victim's clothing was used by police to identify the defendants. Ahmdzai claimed the woman had offered to have sex with the pair for £20, but the jury rejected his account.
Both men were convicted of two counts of rape, two counts of threatening with a knife, assault by penetration and false imprisonment. They are due to be sentenced in October. Judge Leslie Cuthbert warned the pair they face “lengthy custodial sentences.” Home Office guidance means both men are expected to face deportation if they receive sentences of more than a year.
The UK government released a pamphlet aimed at migrants explaining social norms and expectations for living in England. The booklet is intended to help migrants "understand what is expected of [them] when living in the UK." More than 1.3 million migrants are currently receiving UK welfare benefits.
The booklet defines rape and explains that it is illegal. In outlining the legal age of consent, it states: "sex with someone under the age of 16 is a serious crime in the UK. There are no exceptions to this rule. Even if they say yes, it is still illegal. You could go to prison, lose your support and accommodation, and it will affect your asylum claim." The guidance is specifically directed at migrants rather than the general British public. It covers topics including "gender equality, domestic abuse, sex and consent, respect in public," and "getting help."
The inclusion of detailed guidance on sex and consent drew attention on social media, with critics questioning why the government felt the need to explicitly instruct migrants that rape and sex with minors are illegal.
