European hunt for bailed rapist

Andrew Alderman fled while on bail eight months ago

A rapist who fled the UK on the day he was found guilty is being sought in a European-wide manhunt.

Andrew Alderman, 48, from Maidstone, Kent, was on bail and disappeared on 31 August last year.

He was sentenced in his absence to 10 years for rape, indecent assault and sexual activity with a child.

The mother of Alderman's 15-year-old victim told the BBC: "She's angry that he's still controlling her life and that he's not being punished."

'Crumpled heap'

Police believe Alderman has fled abroad. He was caught on CCTV at the Channel Tunnel terminal in Folkestone, Kent, in the early hours of 31 August.

A Kent Police spokesman said he was a "wanted person", adding that the force's European liaison unit was working closely with Interpol to trace him.

Alderman is known to speak several languages, including Spanish.

The victim's mother said: "She'll be OK one minute and then she'll be like a crumpled heap on the floor the next."

Det Insp David Berry, from Kent Police, said it was a "rare occurrence" for a rape suspect to be granted bail.

"When we do arrest people for this very serious offence then the likelihood is that they will be remanded in custody," he said.