Former Mayor and Son Sentenced
A former mayor and her son, who was convicted of rape, have both been sentenced after attempting to obstruct police investigations. The pair worked together to delay law enforcement officers who arrived at their residence to question the son regarding the assault.
Naheed Ejaz, aged 61, served as Bracknell Forest Council's first Muslim mayor, having been appointed in May 2023. She resigned from her position as a Labour councillor in October 2024.
Ejaz received a three-year prison sentence after being found guilty of perverting the course of justice at Winchester Crown Court.
Her son, Diwas Khan, 41, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and was convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl during the summer of 2024. Khan was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Details of the Crime
During the trial, evidence revealed that Khan administered ecstasy and vodka to the victim before recording himself raping her while she was unconscious in his vehicle in northeast Hampshire.
Prosecutors stated that when police arrived at the family home in Bracknell in September 2024, Ejaz and Khan communicated in Urdu to covertly discuss the handling of Khan's mobile phone, which contained incriminating evidence.
Judge Rufus Taylor noted that although Ejaz was unaware of the phone's contents at the time, her actions posed a "real risk" that Khan could evade prosecution for the rape of an unconscious child.
The mobile phone has not been recovered.
Connections and Impact
The court heard that Khan had told the victim he was the "mayor's consort." Khan had attended official events alongside Ejaz during her mayoral tenure.
Prosecutors emphasized the profound impact the crime had on the victim, who continues to receive mental health support.
Khan has a significant criminal record, including a two-year sentence in 2013 for possession with intent to supply cocaine.
Ejaz, who had no prior offenses, immigrated to the UK from Pakistan in 1984 and had previously escaped an abusive marriage, as detailed during the trial.
Khan admitted to perverting the course of justice but denied the rape charge, while Ejaz denied perverting the course of justice. Both were convicted in February.
Council Response and Investigation
Following the convictions, Bracknell Forest Council removed an official mayoral portrait of Ejaz from its Time Square headquarters.
The council announced on Thursday that it would conduct an investigation into how Ejaz and Khan held taxi licenses.
"Given the gravity and seriousness of their crimes, it is right that we carry out an investigation, which will go through the relevant governance process," said Halliwell.
"We cannot comment any further on the investigation until it is concluded later this year. In the meantime, we'd again like to express that our sincere and deepest thoughts are with the very brave young victim, her family and her friends."
Police Statement
Detective Constable Lee Clement of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary commented on the case:
"The victim in this case has shown considerable bravery during the investigation, and in having to relive her experience in court. This attack continues to have a significant impact on her mental health. We hope that this result helps in some way in her recovery. Khan targeted a vulnerable teenage girl, and then, along with his mother Ejaz, tried to cover up evidence to hinder our investigation. Khan is deservedly behind bars, and we always believed that Ejaz's behaviour stepped over the threshold into criminality. We hope that this result will give confidence to others who have experience these type of offences. You will be listened to and supported, and we have specially trained officers to investigate these offences."
