A Canterbury-born man is among the top 10 most wanted British criminals believed to have fled to Spain.

The “rogues gallery” was released by British police as part of Operation Captura 2 in the hope ex-pats would be able to shed light on new leads.

In April, 2007, Andrew Alderman was convicted of indecent assault and rape of a girl under the age of 16, between January 1, 1995, and April 30, 2004.

The 49-year-old was sentenced to 10 years in jail following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

However, Alderman, who was born in Canterbury, fled while the jury were still deliberating and he was sentenced in his absence.

He was last spotted on CCTV cameras at the Channel Tunnel as he left the country.

Alderman, who was living in Maidstone at the time of the offences, speaks a number of languages including Spanish, Italian and Arabic. Police are looking into the possibility he may be in Spain, Ibiza, Mallorca or the Canary Islands.

He is described as 5ft 10in, white, but with a quite dark-skinned complexion and a lot of body hair. He has a stocky build, short dark brown hair which is beginning to turn grey, with brown eyes and wears glasses.

Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org