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Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been jailed in connection with a rape in Oxford city centre in 2014.
Salam Karis, aged 35, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison following a hearing at Oxford Crown Court.
Karis was also issued with an indefinite restraining order preventing any direct or indirect contact with the victim. He will also be on the sex offender register for life.
He was previously found guilty of three counts of rape following a trial at the same court.
Karis raped a young woman, who was visiting friends in Oxford for a night out, in Oxford city centre in 2014.
Officers from Oxford’s CID department conducted a thorough investigation at the time and identified Karis as a suspect.
He was arrested on the same day of the offence and charged, following which he was brought before the courts who released him on bail and Karis fled the country.
Thames Valley Police ensured his Fail to Appear warrant was re-issued, so when he did re-enter the country in Kent in July last year, he was arrested.
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Pete Warne said:
“This was an appalling attack by Karis, and I am pleased that he has finally faced justice after fleeing the country.
“This conviction demonstrates our determination to pursue offenders, regardless of how much time has elapsed, and shows that attempts to evade justice will not succeed.
“We pay tribute to the victim, whose courage and resilience in continuing to support the investigation and give evidence in court has been instrumental in securing this conviction.”