Description
A man who went on the run to avoid being arrested for rape has been jailed.
Scott Salisbury attempted to flee after an investigation into accusations of raping a young girl in Coventry.
Salisbury raped the girl, who was a teenager at the time of the offences, on a number of occasions over a four year period.
The matter was reported to us after she bravely told the police her account.
The 39-year-old from Coventry became aware he'd been reported and attempted to evade capture.
Following a 10-day search, officers arrested Salisbury with the help of our Dogs and Drones units in December 2024.
Salisbury was interviewed by officers from our Rape and Serious Sexual Assault (RASSO) team, providing no comment to the questions put to him.
Our investigation involving helping the female find the right support to empower her to face Salisbury in court.
Now an adult she courageously took to the witness stand at court to provide a personal statement.
Salisbury pleaded guilty to rape and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
Salisbury, from the Tile Hill area of Coventry, was sentenced in his absence to 22 years and six months in prison at Warwick Crown Court on 3 July.
He was also given a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order against the woman for life.
She was thanked by the judge in court, who also said Salisbury's absence from court for sentencing was failing to do the one decent thing he could do.
Temporary Detective Sergeant Evie Griffiths, from the Eastern RASSO team, said: "This was a truly horrendous case, and the fact Salisbury went on the run to try and avoid facing up to what he had done speaks volumes.
"Thanks to her bravery in coming forward to tell her story, and put her trust in the police and criminal justice system, we have taken a truly dangerous sex offender off the streets.
"In the RASSO team, we investigate all reports of rape and sexual abuse, no matter how long ago they took place.
"We would encourage anyone who has suffered sex offences to come forward and tell their story."