In 2026, a 24-year-old man was sentenced to seven years and six months’ imprisonment at Leicester Crown Court after being convicted of the rape of a 17-year-old girl inside a public house and spending two months evading authorities as a fugitive.
Pandeli Dervishi, of no fixed address, appeared before the court for sentencing on Thursday 29 October 2026, having been found guilty by a jury following a contested trial earlier in the month.
The prosecution outlined that the offence took place on the evening of Wednesday 1 October 2025 inside the customer toilets of a pub situated in The Newarke, Leicester. Dervishi cornered the 17-year-old victim and subjected her to rape by forcing her to perform oral sex against her will. A concerned member of the public heard the young victim crying out in distress and raised the alarm, prompting police officers to attend the scene immediately and arrest Dervishi.
During the initial phase of the investigation, detectives bailed Dervishi to allow specialist examiners to extract digital material, compile CCTV timelines, and process forensic evidence. Following an extensive inquiry led by Detective Constable Jon Williams, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised a charge of rape against Dervishi in February 2026.
Instead of answering his police bail at a designated station, Dervishi absconded, prompting Leicestershire Police to circulate his details on the Police National Computer (PNC) as a wanted fugitive. By late March, investigative tracking of telecommunications data and financial transactions indicated that Dervishi had fled to Surrey and was residing in the Guildford area.
His evasion came to an end in the early hours of Thursday 16 April 2026. A Surrey Police road traffic patrol observed a white Mazda contravening a red traffic signal on the A320 Woking Road in Guildford. When officers moved to intercept the vehicle, Dervishi attempted to drive away before being successfully brought to a stop. Enquiries by the arresting officers matched his identity to the national wanted alert for the Leicester rape.
In addition to the Crown Court indictment, Dervishi admitted driving offences at Surrey Magistrates’ Court, pleading guilty to failing to stop for police, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and using a motor vehicle without third-party insurance.
Dervishi denied the sexual offence, but the jury rejected his claims and convicted him of:
One count of rape
Passing sentence, the Crown Court judge addressed the predatory opportunism of cornering a 17-year-old victim in an enclosed venue, the profound distress inflicted upon the teenager, and Dervishi’s deliberate actions in fleeing the jurisdiction to evade justice.
The judge sentenced Dervishi to an immediate custodial term of seven years and six months’ imprisonment.
In addition to the prison sentence, Dervishi was ordered to comply with statutory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for the rest of his life.
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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