A RAPIST who escaped justice after a mutiny by plane passengers now claims he should avoid deportation because he's "too depressed".

Somalian-born Yaqub Ahmed, 30, was convicted of gang raping a 16-year-old girl in 2007 and later jailed for nine years alongside three other men.

3 Gang rapist Yaqub Ahmed's deportation from the UK was stopped by outraged Heathrow passengers

He was heading back to Somalia last October when Heathrow passengers on his flight to Turkey became furious and demanded his release.

Footage showed them shouting “they’re separating him from his family” and “take him off the plane”.

The Home Office team escorting him were forced to halt the deportation and he was seen thanking passengers for their support as they cheered and clapped.

It has so far cost the taxpayer £330,000 to keep the rapist in Britain thanks to spiralling criminal trials and prison costs.

Now lawyers at bail tribunal last week have argued he shouldn't be sent packing as he is suffering from "mental trauma", The Mail on Sunday reports.

RAPIST 'DENIES WRONGDOING'

Psychiatrist Dr Nuwan Galappathie said Ahmed has previously tried to commit suicide on more than one occasion and has "depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder".

But the hearing was told he doesn't trust staff at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre in Bedfordshire to treat him because "their loyalties lie with the Home Office".

His barrister Mark Allison revealed Ahmed, who was granted refugee status in the UK in 2003, is applying for judicial review of his case and still denies any wrongdoing.

'IT'S ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING'

The latest legal wrangling has sparked fury from his victim, who has battled with post traumatic stress disorder triggered by her brutal rape.

She told the newspaper: "It’s ridiculous – his mental health is being put above mine.

"It’s absolutely disgusting and I’m appalled that he is using this excuse to try and avoid deportation.

"I’ve been told that I would benefit from seeing a specialist but I can’t privately fund treatment and the NHS doesn’t have the resources available that I need.

"I am currently without any mental health support, yet he has been assessed by a specialist psychiatrist. He thinks things have been tough. Well he should have lived my life these last few years."

'HER CHILDHOOD HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY'

The bail hearing was also told Ahmed was a victim of modern slavery before he entered the UK - a move designed to "frustrate" the deportation process, the Home Office said.

It is understood anyone referred to the authorities as a potential slavery victim must have their case examined by a specialist in a 45-day process.

Last month, the victim's mum questioned why the passengers "felt the need to intervene" and called for "each and every one" of the passengers who intervened to apologise.

The mum said: "That’s my child’s life – her childhood – that has been taken away.

"Why did they feel the need to intervene in something which clearly was nothing to do with them?

"They actually made it possible for my daughter’s rapist to be allowed back into the country by their actions."

HORROR ATTACK

Ahmed and three others attacked the girl after a night out in London’s Leicester Square in 2007.

They all denied rape but were found guilty at Wood Green Crown Court and each jailed for nine years.

Ahmed is said to have spent four years in prison and after his release the Home Office ordered his deportation.

One of his co-defendants Adnan Mohamud is being held at a removal centre and is on the verge of being booted out of Britain, it's claimed.

The Government will reportedly foot the bill for a charter flight to prevent a repetition of last year's mutiny.

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After the failed deportation he was fitted with an electronic tag and released on bail after a immigration hearing on March 14.

Home Office officials are said to be exploring stripping Somali-born Adnan Barud, another of the rapists, of his British citizenship.

Another member of his gang, Ondogo Ahmed, is reported to have fought for Islamic State in Syria where he is thought to have been killed.

3 The flight left Heathrow without Ahmed on-board Credit: Alamy

3 Ondogo Ahmed, is later reported to have died fighting for Islamic State in Syria Credit: Met Police

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