A man who escaped police capture 20 years ago and started a new life abroad has now been given a one-month jail sentence.

Florim Krasniqi, who was 24 when he was charged with harassment of a woman and false imprisonment, has been told he will not face a trial.

The prosecution told Canterbury Crown Court the alleged victim no longer wanted to press charges and formal not guilty verdicts were made by the judge.

Two decades after he fled to France rather than turn up for his trial he has been formerly acquitted on both charges.

The Kosovan had failed to show up at court in August 1998 and vanished abroad.

The father-of-two, who is now 45, made a new life for himself, married and was granted the right to stay in France.

In March he decided to slip back into England to visit family in London and arrived at Dover Eastern Docks hoping the authorities had forgotten him.

However an arrest warrant from the last century was still in force and he was later given a six-month jail sentence for breaching his bail.

Natasha Hausdorff, prosecuting, said two police officers had gone to his lodgings in Castle Street to talk to him about the allegations.

After others in the property began arguing, the officers led Krasniqi downstairs because he was refusing to discuss the matter.

“He was wearing slippers and asked to be allowed to get a pair of shoes but as he was led away, he pulled away from the officer's grip and ran along Castle Street, Market Square and into Bench Street where he disappeared down an alleyway...” - Prosecutor Natasha Hausdorff

He was told he was being taken to the police station where he would be interviewed with an interpreter and lawyer present.

“He was wearing slippers and asked to be allowed to get a pair of shoes but as he was led away, he pulled away from the officer's grip and ran along Castle Street, Market Square and into Bench Street where he disappeared down an alleyway.”

The court heard it was either a week or two before he appeared at Dover Police Station where he was formerly charged with harassment and false imprisonment and bailed to appear for trial at Canterbury.

Max Reeves, defending, said his client had given police the “slip” because he feared the law because of his experiences with officers in Kosovo.

Krasniqi has now pleaded guilty to escaping lawful custody, contrary to Common Law, and received a month jail term ordered to run consecutively to the six months.

Mr Reeves asked the judge to knock a third off the jail term as Krasniqi had pleaded guilty “at the first opportunity”..

Judge Heather Norton retorted: “I think the first opportunity would have been in 1998, Mr Reeves. That’s not your best point of mitigation.”

Krasniqi plans to return to France when he is released from prison, the court heard.