Ex-Tory official jailed for rape

An ex-Tory party official who went on the run after raping a six-year-old girl has been jailed for 10 years.

Stephen Mertens, 53, was arrested in May 1990 while secretary of the Hackney and South Shoreditch Conservative Association.

He was granted bail and went into hiding for 13 years using a false name, before being arrested for another matter in July 2003.

His victim, now 24, was in court at the Old Bailey as Mertens was jailed.

Mertens of Morse Road, Bristol, sexually abused the youngster between the ages of six and nine.

Campaigning councillor

During the latter part of the sex attacks he was campaigning with his wife to be a councillor.

He was rearrested in Bristol where he was living under an assumed name, said Anthony Orchard, prosecuting.

Police identified him using forensic evidence.

Mertens pleaded guilty to two charges of rape between June 1986 and May 1990.

Four charges of indecent assault involving the same girl and one other were left on the court file not to be proceeded with.

Two further charges of indecent assault on another young girl, which he denied, were also left on the court file.