A JUDGE has issued a warrant for the arrest of a man who raped a young boy in Pinehurst. Abdelouaheb Delhoum was due to face sentence after being convicted of a series of sex offences at Swindon Crown Court earlier in the year.

Although the 44-year-old, who needed an Algerian interpreter, turned up for the hearing, he fled before his case was called.

Judge Tim Mousley QC issued a warrant without bail for his arrest. Delhoum had pleaded not guilty to the rape of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault and three of causing or inciting a child to take part in sexual activity. Following a trial he was convicted by a jury of the offences which took place in Swindon between 2009 and 2012.

Delhoum, of Headington, Oxford, had been on conditional bail, part of which was to surrender his passport to the police.