Do mugshots matter?

The State of Us

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8d ago 24:50

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When a man was convicted of raping a woman last month, he went on the run. His victim says she felt down when it took police nearly two weeks to publish his picture.

Ahmed Abashar, 31, from University Avenue in Belfast, was convicted of rape last month but failed to appear in court.

Jane, not her real name, said the lack of action made her feel the police "weren't taking it seriously".

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said sexual crimes were "incredibly complex to investigate" and supporting victims was a priority.

Abashar raped Jane in March 2023 after they met on an online dating site.

A trial commenced on 23 September 2025 and he was convicted in court in his absence on 30 September. A bench warrant was then issued for his arrest.

Jane said his image should have been released by police as soon as he failed to appear, adding that the "sooner you get it out, the sooner everyone can be on the lookout".

So why did it take the PSNI so long to release the image? What is their policy on ‘mugshots?’ Why is it different to GB?

BBC reporter Brendan Hughes tells Tara Mills & Declan Harvey that victims feel ‘ignored and not taken seriously’ when no mugshot is issued.

Also today – our verdict on The Celebrity Traitors.

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Do mugshots matter?

The State of Us

published 8d ago