Man accused of raping girl, 15, fled after being given bail

Andrew Alderman, 48, vanished a few hours before he was found guilty and sentenced to ten years in jail.

That was in August last year, but Kent police have only just issued an appeal for sightings of Alderman, even though he is considered a risk to other girls.

His victim's 40-year-old mother told of her anger and revealed that she warned police he could vanish but they told her there was nothing they could do.

She said: "He has done this horrific, horrible thing to my daughter and we are trying to get on with our lives, but we can't because he's not where he should be, which is in prison. He's not suffering at all - even if he is looking over his shoulder.

"He needs to be found. Not just for us, but for the safety of every girl. He is a very vindictive, controlling person. It wouldn't take long for him to deceive somebody else.

"Just the thought of somebody else going through what we are going through makes me feel sick."

Alderman was the boss of an office furniture firm in Maidstone, Kent, where his victim's family also live. They considered him a friend for years until their daughter revealed he had attacked her.

He was charged with rape, indecent assault and sexual activity with a child but, despite the seriousness of the offences, he was allowed bail.

The trial at Maidstone Crown Court lasted two weeks during which the girl underwent the trauma of being cross-examined.

Her mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: "At the end of the Thursday the jury hadn't reached a decision and the judge said it would be best for all concerned if it was reached the next day to prevent the case spilling into the next week.

"I was very concerned that he wouldn't turn up because he was not in custody and still had his passport. But the police said they couldn't impose any more restrictions on him because in this country you are innocent until proven guilty."

Alderman, a fluent Spanish speaker, was later spotted on CCTV at the Eurotunnel terminal near Folkestone.

Detective Inspector Dave Berry of Kent Police said: "We have been working closely with Interpol and a European arrest warrant has been issued. But there have been no leads and no sightings and that's why we are appealing to anyone who has got information to get in touch.

"Clearly he would pose a risk to other young girls".

The Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement: "In every case where bail is an issue, we look at the specific circumstances and the chance of reoffending. After consulting with Kent police, it was decided that the defendant was suitable for bail, given strict conditions."