Former mayor and rapist son jailed

A former mayor and her rapist son, who worked together to stall police after they turned up at their home to question him about the attack, have been jailed.

Naheed Ejaz, 61, was Bracknell Forest Council's first Muslim mayor when she was selected in May 2023 but quit her role as a Labour councillor in October 2024.

She was jailed for three years after being found guilty of perverting the course of justice following a trial at Winchester Crown Court.

Diwas Khan, 41, admitted perverting the course of justice and was found guilty of the rape of a 15-year old girl in summer 2024. He was given a jail sentence of 12 years.

His trial heard he plied the victim with ecstasy and vodka before he filmed himself raping her on his mobile phone as she lay unconscious in his car in northeast Hampshire.

Prosecutors said Ejaz and Khan spoke in Urdu when officers turned up at their Bracknell home in September 2024 so they could secretly discuss what to do with his phone.

Judge Rufus Taylor said Ejaz did not know at the time what the phone contained but that by taking it there was a "real risk" Khan "might have avoided prosecution of the rape of an unconscious child".

The phone has never been found.

The court heard Khan's victim said he had told her he was the "mayor's consort".

He attended official events with Ejaz during her time in her role.

Prosecutors said the impact on Khan's victim had been profound and that she was still receiving mental health support.

The court was told Khan has a long criminal history and was jailed for two years for possessing with intent to supply cocaine in 2013.

Ejaz, who had never offended before, arrived in the UK from Pakistan in 1984 and later fled an abusive marriage, the court heard.

Khan admitted perverting the course of justice but denied rape. Ejaz had denied perverting the course of justice. Both were convicted of those charges in February.

Following Ejaz and Khan's convictions, Bracknell Forest Council said it removed a official mayoral portrait of Ejaz at its Time Square headquarters.

The council said on Thursday that it will carry out an investigation into how Ejaz and Khan held taxi licences.

"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," Halliwell added.

"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."

Det Con Lee Clement, of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, said: "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."