Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Fraud with pet tiger gets extra jail time

A CONVICTED fraudster who fled the UK before being jailed for trying to fleece a £148 million lottery winner has been given extra prison time.

Zahid Khan, who was already handed a 10-year-sentence, is facing another 14 months for failing to comply with a confiscation order imposed in a bid to retrieve some of the proceeds of his crimes, reported BirminghamLive on Monday (11).


Khan is currently in the UAE. He fled in June last year during a trial over a £500,000 number plate scam.

West Midlands Police said it was working with Interpol and overseas law enforcement agencies to bring Khan back to the UK.

In a new statement, the West Midlands force said: "Zahid Khan has been proven to be a serial liar and conman, and when he returns to the UK, he will be arrested and sent straight to prison," the force said.

It added: "In October, Khan was ordered to pay a confiscation order with immediate effect, and as a result of failing to pay this order, his sentence has been increased by 14 months.

"We continue to work with Interpol and overseas law enforcement agencies in a bid to bring Khan back to the UK to face justice."

Khan is active on social media and last week he flaunted his new pet -- a Siberian tiger -- on Facebook.

In the video he plays with the cute baby tiger and says "look at the claws coming out" before telling him "good boy."

He posted: "Who likes my new pet always told you I was different, you like the Siberian white Tiger.

"Scars don’t come easy they come and stay for life every scar has a story behind it. We been bought up in a jungle we can handle any habitat you leave us in."

Khan, who lived in Moseley, Birmingham, was allowed to keep his passport during the trial in the summer of 2018. He fled during the proceedings, and in a video posted on his Facebook page, Khan apologised for leaving the country.

"Sorry, I had no choice," said Khan in his message to Judge Philip Parker, QC.

"I am making this video to let you know I am very sorry, I did not want to do what I did, but I felt like I had no other choice.

"Had I stayed in the UK, I was not having no justice and the only safest option I had was to leave this country."

Two brothers and a cousin were jailed for their part in the number plate scam. Khan and his brother were also given additional 30-month sentences for smuggling illegal immigrants into the UK.

Khan was convicted in his absence of conspiracy to commit fraud, perverting the course of justice, plus concealing and converting criminal property.

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ganpati festival

The Ganpati festival celebrates Ganesha as the god of new beginnings, and the god of wisdom and intelligence. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Hindu community centre in London damaged in fire after Ganapati Visarjan event

A HINDU community centre in east London caught fire on Saturday evening, causing major damage to the building. The London Fire Brigade brought the fire under control and confirmed that no injuries were reported.

The incident took place at the Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community Centre on Cleveland Road in Ilford, which had been decorated for a Ganapati Visarjan event attended by members of the Hindu community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi ,Xi & Putin

Narendra Modi talks with Vladimir Putin and Xi jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin on September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

SCO declaration slams Pahalgam attack, calls for united action on terror

Highlights:

  • SCO condemns terror attack in Pahalgam and echoes India’s stance on “double standards”.
  • Leaders call for justice for perpetrators of attacks in Pahalgam and Balochistan.
  • Declaration criticises Israeli military strikes in Gaza causing civilian casualties.
  • SCO stresses UN’s central role in global counter-terrorism strategy.

THE SHANGHAI Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and agreed with India’s position that “double standards” in tackling terrorism are not acceptable.

Keep ReadingShow less