A defence lawyer has issued a stark warning: phone footage showing a 15-year-old girl being raped by two Afghan asylum seekers could spark riots if it goes public. Joshua Radcliffe, defending 17-year-old Israr Niazal at Warwick Crown Court on 8 December, called the three-minute clip “genuinely horrific” and “highly distressing.”
‘Widespread Disorder Looms’ if Footage Leaks
Radcliffe said the graphic video, filmed as the victim was dragged away in Newbold Comyn Park, Leamington Spa, on 10 May 2025, could trigger “widespread public disorder.” He warned of potential riots similar to the anti-immigration protests that rocked the UK in summer 2025 after migrant-linked attacks made headlines.
The footage shows the horrifying attack by two other defendants, Jan Jahanzeb and Israr Niazal, both 17-year-old Afghan asylum seekers, who are now facing sentencing for the brutal rape.
Defence Fails to Shield Attackers’ Identities
Radcliffe tried to keep the teenagers’ names secret under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, fearing public fury would spiral out of control if their backgrounds and the distressing video were revealed.
“You’re going to rape me, let me go,” the girl can be heard begging in the footage, with tearful pleas to passers-by for help.
Prosecutor Shawn Williams described the video as “highly distressing” with “overwhelming evidence of non-consent.” Though played in court, the clip remains hidden from the public.
Judge Padma Singh rejected the anonymity bid, stressing that full public reporting is crucial to exposing the brutal nature of the crime and warning others. She ruled the defendants “knew their actions were criminal and wrong,” dismissing any cultural or trauma excuses.
Bid to Block Afghan Asylum Claims Also Rejected
Robert Holt, barrister for Jahanzeb, sought a media ban on mentioning the defendants’ Afghan asylum status, fearing it would fan unrest. He also highlighted Jahanzeb’s harrowing nine-month journey to the UK as a mitigating factor.
The judge was unmoved, allowing full public disclosure amid mounting media storm.
This case is fueling fierce debate, exposing raw tensions in Britain’s ongoing immigration crisis.
