Rapist Jailed 12 Years After Fleeing UK
A child rapist who dodged UK justice for over a decade has finally been locked up for 15 years. Onimisi Seidu, from Chatham, was guilty of raping a child four times between 2002 and 2006.
Evaded Trial, Caught at Heathrow
Seidu skipped his 2007 trial at Maidstone Crown Court and vanished. He was tracked down and arrested at Heathrow Airport on 24 March 2019 while trying to sneak back into Britain. The 47-year-old, with no fixed address, was immediately remanded in custody and admitted all four offences at court on 1 April.
Justice Served After Long Wait
Held on remand ever since, Seidu was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on 10 May. He now faces 15 years behind bars, a one-year extended licence on release, and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Detective Constable Ally Smith, Kent Police’s lead investigator, said: “The offences Seidu committed were horrendous and left the victim feeling traumatised. His decision to leave the country to evade justice only prolonged this trauma. I’m glad justice has finally been served. The offender is now safely in prison, unable to cause further harm.”
