Child sex offender who fled UK rape trial arrested in Hong Kong
Joseph Tsang was due to go on trial for rape charges at Oxford Crown Court when he disappeared
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A convicted child sex offender has been arrested in Hong Kong after fleeing the UK as he faced a lengthy prison sentence.
Joseph Tsang, 31, was due to go on trial for rape and sexual assault charges at Oxford Crown Court when he disappeared last month.
Thames Valley Police launched an appeal last month for help tracing him and he has now been detained ahead of deportation.
Acting Chief Inspector John Turner said: “We would like to thank the public and media for their assistance during our wanted investigation after Tsang failed to appear at court for a trial into sexual offences in Hampshire, having already been convicted for sexual offences in Oxfordshire.
“We would also like to thank all the partner agencies we have worked alongside during this investigation, including the Crown Prosecution Service, Hampshire Constabulary, the National Crime Agency, the Hong Kong Police, the Hong Kong Crown Prosecution Service, Interpol and UK Immigration.
“Tsang will now be sentenced for the ten convictions at Oxford Crown Court on a date to be confirmed.”
Tsang, of Sandy Lane in Oxford, was found guilty of two counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault by penetration in his absence on 25 August, following a six-day trial.
He had previously been found guilty of one count of making indecent images of children, two counts of inciting a girlhong ko under 16 to engage in sexual activity and three counts of sexual activity with a child under 16 years at a separate trial at Oxford Crown Court in January.
The rape and sexual assault was committed in Hampshire, and the child sex offences took place in Oxfordshire, Thames Valley Police said.
The deportation process can last between eight weeks and two years.