A MAN who plied his teenage victim with drugs before raping her has been found guilty of two counts of rape in a retrial at Bradford Crown Court.

Imran Khaliq, of Silverhill Drive, Bradford Moor, was convicted on two counts today after raping a 17-year-old girl on January 27, 2017.

The jury was discharged in the 38-year-old’s first trial after failing to reach a verdict last July, but the jury of six men and six women in his retrial found Khaliq guilty on both counts, by a majority of 10 to two on one charge and 11 to one on the second charge, after deliberating for six hours 43 minutes.

Khaliq was not in court to hear the jury’s verdict, and Judge Colin Burn issued a warrant for his arrest.

Judge Burn said it was imperative Khaliq be held in custody prior to being sentenced, and he was advised by defence barrister Glenn Parsons that police were heading to Lancashire during the hearing to apprehend Khaliq.

During the first trial, jurors were told by prosecutor Sophie Drake how Khaliq had forced cocaine up the girl’s nose and threatened to smash a bottle over her head if she cried out.

She said he had locked the teenager in an attic bedroom at his house, seizing her in a headlock and telling her: “You know what I am going to do now,” before raping her repeatedly.

Khaliq will be sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on Friday, March 2.

Following his conviction, an NSPCC spokesperson said: “Khaliq took advantage of his young victim in a truly reprehensible manner and by continuing to deny his actions he has subjected her to the ordeal of two trials.

“His terrifying actions, which included plying his victim with drugs and threatening further violence whilst committing rape, will have had devastating effects on his victim and we hope she receives all the support she needs to move forward.”

Khaliq remained at large this evening. Police declined a request by the Telegraph & Argus to issue a picture of him.