Chatham rapist jailed for 12 years after fleeing the country
Rapist jailed 12 years after fleeing the UK A rapist who fled the country to avoid a trial 12 years ago has been jailed for 15 years. Onimisi Seidu, from Chatham, raped a child on four occasions between 2002 and 2006. He failed to attend a trial at Maidstone Crown Court in 2007 and was arrested at Heathrow Airport on 24 March 2019 while he was trying to re-enter the United Kingdom. The 47-year-old, of no fixed address, was remanded in custody following his arrest and admitted all four offences during an appearance at Maidstone Crown Court on 1 April. He has been held on remand since and was sentenced at the same court on Friday 10 May. In addition to his custodial sentence, Seidu will be on a one year extended licence upon his release and the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. Detective Constable Ally Smith, Kent Police’s investigating officer for the case, said: ‘The offences Seidu committed were horrendous and left the victim feeling traumatised. ‘His decision to leave the country in a bid to evade justice has only prolonged this trauma and I am pleased that we have finally been able to secure justice. ‘The offender is now safely in prison, where he is unable to cause further harm.’
