Three Brothers Found Guilty of Sexually Assaulting Four Children and a Woman in the UK

Three brothers, known for their heinous actions, have been found guilty of sexually exploiting four children and a woman in Sheffield, UK, nearly 18 years after the crimes took place. This verdict follows an extensive inquiry by the National Crime Agency.

The trio was convicted of multiple sexual offenses, including instances of rape, primarily committed by the eldest sibling, Amar Ilyas, aged 41, residing in Sheffield.

Amar Ilyas, referred to as "Killer" by the victimized individuals, inflicted severe trauma on one victim, physically assaulting her and utilizing threats of gang rape to assert control over others he victimized.

In September 2025, Amar Ilyas was convicted; however, this information could only be disclosed now, following the conclusion of the trials for his brothers, Kamran Ilyas, 38, and Kamar Ilyas, 39, who both also face charges.

Kamran and Kamar Ilyas were found guilty of committing five distinct sexual offenses against one of the girls who had previously suffered assault at the hands of Amar.

The trials were part of a broader initiative known as Operation Stovewood, which is dedicated to tackling cases of non-familial child sexual abuse in Rotherham that occurred between 1997 and 2013.

In 2018, as part of this operation, investigators connected with a woman from Rotherham identified as a potential victim of sexual abuse in her youth.

Now in her 30s, she recounted being groomed and subsequently sexually assaulted by Kamar Ilyas, as well as being abused by both Amar and Kamran Ilyas from 2004 to 2008, with the incidents occurring at various venues throughout Sheffield.

Kamar Ilyas made initial contact with her via phone when she was only 12 years old, leading to in-person meetings where he sexually exploited her.

Amar Ilyas was introduced to her by Kamar and proceeded to repeatedly assault her weekly over a three-year span in multiple locations, including parks and vehicles.

Despite offering her gifts, including perfume and jewelry, Amar's intimidation tactics made the victim fear for her family's safety.

On one occasion, Amar Ilyas offered her a cigarette mixed with crack cocaine before raping her, and on another instance, he revealed a handgun he kept in his vehicle before assaulting her in a secluded area.

During this time, she also faced abuse from Kamran Ilyas at various locations within Sheffield.

As the investigation into these offenses continued, several other potential victims came forward, revealing a disturbing pattern of Amar Ilyas's behavior, further emphasizing the scale of his crimes.

One woman spoke of an assault when she was approximately 13 years old, while another victim recounted waking up to Amar Ilyas assaulting her during a sleepover.

Another woman recalled encountering Amar Ilyas at the age of 13, recounting his predatory behavior as he groomed her, which eventually led to her being assaulted.

The pattern of manipulation and coercion utilized by Amar Ilyas extended over time, with these women expressing fear and helplessness as they endured varying degrees of abuse.

All three brothers were arrested in June 2020 as part of the Operation Stovewood, with formal charges following in March 2023.

Amar Ilyas was initially released on bail but later failed to appear at his trial and was tried in absentia, leading to his conviction for 20 offenses, including gun possession with malicious intent, on September 24.

Following the verdicts, both Kamran and Kamar Ilyas are scheduled to appear in Sheffield Crown Court on June 22 for sentencing. In contrast, a warrant has been issued for Amar Ilyas, who remains at large, prompting continued efforts by law enforcement to bring him to justice.

Senior Investigating Officer Alan Hastings of the National Crime Agency condemned the actions of the Ilyas brothers, emphasizing the terrifying grip they had on the vulnerable girls in their community. Hastings highlighted the extensive and brutal nature of the abuse perpetrated by Amar Ilyas and his brothers and commended the bravery of the victims who came forward to seek justice.

Martin McRobb, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, acknowledged the profound harm inflicted by the brothers, particularly on those they preyed upon, and reaffirmed the commitment of authorities to pursue any remaining perpetrators of child sexual abuse rigorously.

Operation Stovewood has emerged as the largest such investigation, focusing on abuse allegations from Rotherham, resulting in 52 convictions, including that of the Ilyas brothers, leading to prison sentences exceeding a total of 1,500 years.