Oxford rape convict jailed for 13 years after decade on the run

Salam Karis fled the UK in 2014 after being charged with three counts of rape in Oxford. He was caught trying to re-enter the country last year and has now been sentenced to 13 years.

Oxford rapist sentenced after evading justice for over a decade

A man who absconded following rape charges in 2014 has been jailed for 13 years, bbc.co.uk reports.

Salam Karis, 35, had been charged with three counts of rape in connection with an attack on a young woman in Oxford city centre. The victim had been visiting friends in the city for a night out when the assault took place.

Karis was arrested and charged on the same day as the offences were committed. After being released on bail following a court hearing, he fled the country. Thames Valley Police subsequently reissued a Fail-to-Appear warrant for his arrest.

He was apprehended in Kent in July last year while attempting to re-enter the UK. Following a trial at Oxford Crown Court, Karis was found guilty on all three rape charges.

His 13-year sentence comprises 12 years for the rape offences and an additional 12 months for failure to surrender to bail. He was also issued with an indefinite restraining order and placed on the sex offender register for life.

Detective Sergeant Pete Warne said the attack had been "appalling" and expressed satisfaction that Karis had "finally faced justice after fleeing the country." Warne added that the conviction demonstrated the force's "determination to pursue offenders, regardless of how much time has elapsed, and shows that attempts to evade justice will not succeed."

Warne also paid tribute to the victim, stating that her "courage and resilience in continuing to support the investigation and give evidence in court has been instrumental in securing this conviction."

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)