A rugby league player from Papua New Guinea accused of rape fled the UK within five hours of being charged, a court has heard.
Keven Appo, who played for Bradford Bulls, was given conditional bail at 4pm on Nov 26, Bradford magistrates were told.
At 8:40pm that evening, he boarded a flight to Dubai from Manchester before taking a connecting flight to his home country.
An arrest warrant has now been issued for the 25-year-old, who is accused of rape, sexual assault and assault. The charges relate to an investigation by Calderdale District Adult Protection Team following a report made in April last year.
Prosecutor Fiona Newcombe told the court that an extradition process was under way to return Mr Appo to the UK, the BBC reported. He had been due to appear for a hearing at the court on Monday morning.
He had posted his house and car keys to the manager of the rugby club, Ms Newcombe told the court. She said authorities would now work with police in Papua New Guinea to extradite him.
Mr Appo joined Bradford Bulls in 2023 and made 61 appearances for the West Yorkshire club. He joined after Papua New Guinea reached the quarter finals of the Rugby League World Cup in 2022, and was sacked after he was charged with the offences.
In a statement, the club previously said they had “cancelled Keven Appo’s playing contract”.
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “We are aware that magistrates have issued an arrest warrant for 25-year-old man from Halifax who was due to appear in court today charged with rape, sexual assault and assault.”
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