A survivor of one of the UK’s most notorious grooming gang cases has said her sense of safety was “destroyed” after being wrongly informed that one of her attackers had been jailed.
Christina O’Connor, 34, felt a wave of relief after receiving an official letter stating that Sajid Hussain, who had been on the run for six years, had finally been imprisoned. However, days later, authorities confirmed the information was incorrect and that he remains at large.
Mistaken letter leaves victim ‘devastated’
As reported by The Sun, O’Connor said the letter initially made her feel safe for the first time in years, before that reassurance was abruptly taken away. She said she had “never felt safe” knowing Hussain was still free, and described the moment she believed he had been caught as overwhelming relief.
However, after contacting police to confirm the development, she was told there was no record of his arrest. It later emerged that the letter had been sent in error. O’Connor said the mistake left her feeling “let down” and added that the justice system had failed her repeatedly.
Attacker still on the run years after conviction
Hussain, who was convicted in his absence in 2018 for two counts of rape, disappeared before sentencing and has remained at large since. O’Connor was the main prosecution witness in the Huddersfield grooming gang trials, where 11 men were convicted of 43 offences against her, including 22 counts of rape. Despite the convictions, Hussain evaded capture, leaving O’Connor living in fear for years.
Authorities apologise as investigation continues
An HMPPS spokesperson was quoted as saying by The Sun that the case involved a “horrific crime” and apologised for the distress caused by the error, describing it as an isolated incident. West Yorkshire Police confirmed Hussain remains wanted and said efforts to locate him are ongoing.
