Care worker faces 'abuse' retrial

A date has yet to be fixed for the retrial of Anver Daud Sheikh

A former North Yorkshire care worker whose conviction for abusing children was quashed must face a retrial.

Anver Daud Sheikh, 52, was sentenced to eight years in jail in May 2002 after being found guilty of sex attacks on two boys at a care home in the 1980s.

After his conviction was quashed on 5 February, judges ordered recorded video interviews with the two complainants to assess if there should be a new trial.

They stressed that there was nothing "oppressive" in ordering a retrial.

Serious charges

The Appeal Court made the ruling despite pleas from Mr Sheikh's barrister, Mr Mark Barlow, that the testimony of the two alleged victims contained "inconsistencies".

Last month, the same judges found Mr Sheikh's conviction unsafe after concerns were raised about historic abuse cases.

Key evidence had not tallied with the dates Mr Sheikh worked at the home, they heard.

But Lord Justice Kennedy said on Tuesday he felt it was appropriate to order a retrial given the seriousness of the charges and the fact Mr Sheikh, who lives in Leicester, had served less than two years of his original eight-year term.

He said it remained to be seen what jurors would make of that evidence at the retrial, but told the court: "It is not for this court, one way or the other, to prejudge what a jury might decide."

Mr Sheikh will be rearraigned on the charges within two months, but the date and location of his retrial has yet to be fixed.

The former soldier will remain on bail pending the new trial.