Rapist jailed decade after fleeing charge

A man who fled the country after being charged with rape more than a decade ago, has been jailed for 13 years.

Salam Karis had been charged with three counts of rape in relation to an attack in Oxford city centre in 2014.

Thames Valley Police said the 35-year-old had been apprehended attempting to re-enter the UK in Kent in July last year.

He was found guilty of the rape offences following a trial at Oxford Crown Court.

Police said Karis had raped a young woman, who was visiting friends in Oxford for a night out, in the city centre in 2014.

He had been arrested and charged with the offences on the same day they were committed, but fled the country after being placed on bail following a court hearing.

Police said it had reissued a Fail-to-Appear warrant, meaning he was arrested when trying to re-enter the UK last year.

Det Sgt Pete Warne said: "This was an appalling attack by Karis, and I am pleased that he has finally faced justice after fleeing the country.

"This conviction demonstrates our determination to pursue offenders, regardless of how much time has elapsed, and shows that attempts to evade justice will not succeed."

He added: "We pay tribute to the victim, whose courage and resilience in continuing to support the investigation and give evidence in court has been instrumental in securing this conviction."

His sentence was made up of 12 years for the three rape charges, and an additional 12 months for failure to surrender to police or court bail at the appointed time.

Karis was also issued with an indefinite restraining order and was placed on the sex offender register for life.