Rapist jailed after seven months on the run abroad

Hunted across borders after vanishing before court, a convicted sex offender was tracked down, extradited and sentenced as judges heard how he tried to evade justice. A man who raped and sexually assaulted a woman in Stoke-on-Trent has been jailed for more than six years after being brought back to the UK following seven months on the run.

Flauberd Njumbe, 31, of Ripon Road, Blurton, was sentenced to six years and one month’s imprisonment at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Wednesday 4 February after admitting two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault on a female, and one count of failing to surrender to police bail.

The offences were committed in 2024. Njumbe entered guilty pleas at an earlier hearing, and the case proceeded to sentencing without a trial.

The court heard that Njumbe left the UK after the offences and remained at large for around seven months. He travelled to Ireland and was later arrested and returned to England under a European Arrest Warrant.

Read more: Predator convicted of woodland rape after deportation halted

Prosecutor Ben Lawrence told the court that leaving the country amounted to “a deliberate attempt to evade justice”.

During sentencing, Judge Richard McConaghy said the offending had been serious and prolonged, telling Njumbe: “The impact upon the victim has not been insignificant. The incident was sustained and your victim was particularly vulnerable.”

The judge imposed an immediate custodial sentence and ordered that Njumbe be made subject to lifelong notification requirements, placing him on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

The court was told that Njumbe is expected to be deported to Ireland after serving half of his sentence.

Read more: Glasgow predator jailed for raping student in city centre

Edmund Potts, defending, said Njumbe accepted responsibility for his actions and regretted fleeing the country. He told the court: “He understands that the pain he has caused the victim is by far the most important factor. He is filled with regret for his actions.” Mr Potts added that his client had not felt able to face proceedings at the time and had since sought to use his time in custody constructively.