SWINDON CHILD RAPIST STILL ON THE RUN AFTER 7 YEARS
A child rapist, Abdelouaheb Delhoum, who was found guilty of repeatedly abusing a boy in Swindon between 2009 and 2012, remains at large seven years after his trial and three years after receiving an 18-year jail sentence in his absence.The case was revived at Swindon Crown Court on Monday, with Judge Peter Crabtree reviewing outstanding arrest warrants.
Prosecutor Sadie Rizzo stated that Wiltshire Police believed Delhoum was still out of the country, emphasizing the gravity of the offence and requesting the warrant to remain in place, with a review scheduled for January 2022.
Delhoum, aged 52 and from Headington, had pleaded not guilty to charges including rape of a child under 13, sexual assault of a male under 13, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activities.
He was convicted after a week-long trial in 2014 but absconded before sentencing, believed to have fled to Algeria.
In 2018, Judge Tim Mousley QC sentenced him in absentia to 18 years in prison, noting the vulnerability of the victim, the grooming involved, and that Delhoum had no previous convictions.
The judge also reminded him about the sex offender register if he returned to the UK.
His solicitors had not been in contact since his disappearance.
