Paedophile who fled during trial is arrested at airport

A PAEDOPHILE who fled the country during a trial which ended with his conviction for vile child sex crimes has been arrested at Manchester Airport.

- By JOHN SCHEERHOUT

Hassan Mahmood, 24, from Bury, was held after stepping off a flight on Monday. He was due to be hauled back to court yesterday.

Mahmood, of Gigg Lane, Bury, was found guilty on four counts of child sexual offences following a trial in August. He absconded on the second day of the case, which continued in his absence. It is believed he fled to Pakistan.

He was found guilty of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a child; causing a child to watch/look at an image of sexual activity; engaging in sexual activity in presence of a child; and engaging in sexual communication with a child.

The victim was a girl under 16 at the time.