NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE ISSUE APPEAL AFTER RAPIST YUAN WEI ZHANG GOES ON THE RUN
POLICE have released the identity of a wanted sex offender on the run – less than 24 hours after refusing to give his name and photograph in the interest of protecting the victim.A high-ranking officer from the North Yorkshire force had ordered the release of the name and photograph of the rapist who has been missing for 19 months.
Yuan Wei Zhang, who lived in London, is said to have used email to befriend a young woman from Scarborough before meeting her in the town in June 2007 and going on to rape her.
Zhang was arrested a few days later and was consequently charged with three counts of rape and brought before the courts.
He was given bail to attend York Crown Court for trial but the 26-year-old failed to attend his court hearing and was tried and sentenced in his absence in July 2008.
A warrant was issued for his arrest.
The North Yorkshire Police stated that they initially withheld his identity to protect the victim.
However, the police later clarified that extensive inquiries had been ongoing since Zhang was sentenced in his absence.
They believed he left the UK, with investigations focusing on China, with assistance from Interpol and the UK Border Agency.
The police explained that there was no investigative need to release his identity initially to avoid distress to the victim, who has since moved away from the area.
The police appealed to the public, asking for any information regarding Zhang's whereabouts, and provided contact details for reporting tips: North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
