EAST ANGLIA NEWS SERVICE, tel. 07767 413379 Halwest Muradi (pictured) who was found hidden in van after allegedly breaching bail is on the run again after being bailed by magistrates because they could not find an interpreter EAST ANGLIA NEWS SERVICE, tel. 07767 413379 Pic available An alleged rapist has gone on the run after he was freed by magistrates because they couldn?t find an interpreter, a court heard today (wed). Police fear that Halwest Muradi, 24, who is of Iranian descent may have fled the country to avoid facing trial for rape Muradi is accused of the rape of a woman aged in her 20s last November in St Botolph?s Church Walk, Colchester, Essex. He was originally granted bail by the town? magistrates on July 31 with conditions which included being under curfew at his home in Victoria Gardens, Colchester. But Ipswich Crown Court heard today (wed) how he had breached his conditions by leaving his home. He was later arrested after being found in the back of an Amazon van in Kent., allegedly attempting to "steal away", said prosecutor Jane Oldfield. Muradi was brought before Medway magistrates in Chatham, Kent, on August 2 for breaching his bail, but was released because the court could not find an interpreter to translate for him, she added. "They took the view that as they couldn't find an interpreter they couldn't deal with the breach of bail," said Miss Oldfield. Muradi who also faced charges of attempted rape and sexual assault, failed to attend a plea and case management hearing today at Ipswich Crown Court. Judge David Pugh said Muradi had been accused of a stranger rape and he found it " utterly extraordinary" that he had been released. Miss Oldfield said there had been significant attempts by the police to find Mulradi including the issuing of press releases and international inquiries. Judge Pugh issued a warrant for Mulradi's arrest not backed by bail. Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Truss of Essex Police, the senior investigating officer in Muradi?s case, said: ?It?s of the utmost importance that we find Halwest Muradi and speak to him about this alleged breach. Anyone who has seen him is asked to call us immediately. ?We believe he may have links to Kent and Swansea, but he could still be in the county and we would urge anyone with information about his whereabouts to reach out to us. ?You can call the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate on 101 and quote Operation Oslo, email us on scd.appeals.essex@essex.pnn.police.uk, or speak to Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their website.? Muradi is 5ft 7ins tall and of medium build. He has short, dark straight hair and is of Iranian descent. ends
Halwest Muradi is being hunted by police but may have left the country (Picture: East Anglia News Service)

An Iranian alleged rapist is believed to have fled the UK after being bailed from magistrates’ court because they were unable to find an interpreter.

Halwest Muradi, 24, is accused of raping a woman in her 20s last November in Colchester, Essex.

He was granted bail on July 31 with a curfew order imposed by magistrates in the town but Ipswich Crown Court heard he had vanished.

He was arrested in the back of an Amazon van in Kent trying to evade justice.

He was taken to Medway Magistrates’ Court in Chatham on August 2 for breaching bail but when the court heard an interpreter could not be found he was bailed.

Prosecutor Jane Oldfield said: ‘They took the view that as they couldn’t find an interpreter they couldn’t deal with the breach of bail.’

He was due to appear at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court today where he was due to enter a plea.

Judge David Pugh said Muradi had been accused of a stranger rape and he found it ‘utterly extraordinary’ that he had been released.

Miss Oldfield said there had been significant attempts by the police to find Mulradi including the issuing of press releases and international inquiries.

Judge Pugh issued a warrant for Mulradi’s arrest not backed by bail.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Truss said: ‘It’s of the utmost importance that we find Halwest Muradi and speak to him about this alleged breach. Anyone who has seen him is asked to call us immediately.

‘We believe he may have links to Kent and Swansea, but he could still be in the county and we would urge anyone with information about his whereabouts to reach out to us.’

Muradi is 5ft 7ins tall and of medium build. He has short, dark straight hair and is of Iranian descent.